Credit: Patrick Grego
“If someone is out there suffering, we want to do everything we can to support them,” said Jessica Maden, LCSW, Director of Crisis Prevention for Dutchess County’s Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (MCIT), during a presentation in Pine Plains on Thursday.
The information session, held at the Pine Plains Free Library community center, aimed to educate residents on how to assist individuals in mental health crises. Attendees learned about MCIT’s 24/7 services, designed to de-escalate emergencies, reduce risks of harm and connect people with long-term care.
The MCIT, operated by Mental Health America of Dutchess County, serves as a cornerstone of the county’s mental health safety net. Based in Poughkeepsie, the team responds to approximately 2,000 face-to-face calls annually, the majority originating in urban areas of Southern Dutchess County. However, Maden emphasized their commitment to rural communities like Wassaic, Millerton and Pine Plains. “Just because you’re far away doesn’t mean we’re not going out. We responded to every single call,” she said. Still, she acknowledged that response times to these areas can sometimes exceed 40 minutes.
Maden described a crisis as an acute response to an event or situation — whether real or perceived — where an individual’s usual coping mechanisms have failed, resulting in significant distress or functional impairment. MCIT focuses on de-escalating crises and linking individuals to the appropriate level of care, aiming to avoid hospitalizations or incarcerations. “Our role is to do what we can to keep people safe in their own environment,” she said.
MCIT services are voluntary, meaning individuals must consent to receive assistance. However, in rare and severe cases where someone poses an imminent risk to themselves or others, police intervention may be necessary to prevent harm. Maden illustrated this with an example of a young woman experiencing a psychotic episode. “She was carving her face and chanting,” Maden recalled. In such situations, the team works closely with law enforcement to ensure safety.
For those who accept MCIT’s help, follow-up care is provided for up to 14 days to ensure individuals remain supported as they transition to long-term services. Maden highlighted the team’s deliberate efforts to minimize stigma, such as avoiding uniforms or marked vehicles. “It’s not fair to someone who is suffering to show up looking like a cop,” she said.
The team comprises 30 licensed professionals, including social workers, mental health counselors, and recovery specialists, each bringing extensive experience in mental health and substance use fields. Calls are individually assessed to determine the safest and most effective response. “We’re going up to complete strangers,” Maden said, explaining that responders conduct risk assessments, including checks for weapons or histories of violence.
Maden also offered practical advice for rural residents encountering someone in distress. She emphasized that because the MCIT can take at least 40 minutes to arrive in remote areas, residents should first call the police if there is immediate danger. “If you see someone on the street, they’re acting bizarre, and you feel a little scared — what I would do is call the police first,” she said. “Then call us.”
Town Board member Jeanine Sisco, who organized the presentation, emphasized the importance of spreading awareness about MCIT. “My motivation for having you come here is that people know there is a team to call instead of throwing up their arms and not knowing what to do,” Sisco said. “They need to know that they have services.”
For residents seeking more information, a follow-up session will take place Friday at 2 p.m. at the community center, offering another opportunity to learn about crisis intervention and ask questions.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the Dutchess County Helpline at 845-485-9700, dial 988, or reach the Mobile Crisis Intervention Team directly at 845-372-5500.
