The State of Mobile Crisis Response: A Scoping Review of Construct and Challenges

Objectives: There is a significant unmet need for mental health services in the United States. Many communities have responded to the unmet need by creating mobile crisis response programs. Response programs differ significantly in training, implementation, and supporting infrastructure. Enhanced understanding of the differences and common themes in mobile crisis response programs will guide efforts to construct frameworks for successful future program development. This review aims to characterize the current state of the industry among mobile crisis response teams. Methods: We employed a scoping review methodology to explore the state of the work in mobile crisis response. Results: Overall, the results of the review illustrate that mobile crisis response programs are a promising development in mental health care, but they are still largely in the early stages of implementation. While many programs show potential in reducing the burden on local agencies and providing more appropriate care for individuals in crisis, there are still many significant challenges to address. Conclusion: As mobile crisis response continues to expand nationwide, future work should focus on developing long-term outcome measures and creating frameworks for integration with broader social services. Research is needed to measure the efficacy and outcomes of mobile crisis intervention, particularly in terms of cost-effectiveness, long-term community impact, mental health improvements, and community safety. Studies design must evaluate the diverse needs of specific communities and jurisdictions.