A descriptive analysis of two mobile crisis programs for clients with severe mental illness.
OBJECTIVE
To describe cases seen by two Mobile Crisis Programs (MCPs) for individuals with severe mental illnesses. Focus is on client characteristics, mental health status, interventions, referrals, and immediate outcomes.


METHODS
Data were collected retrospectively through a chart review of clinical record forms and accompanying progress notes for cases seen by the MCPs over a one-year period. A total of 981 cases were included in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate statistics.


RESULTS
Most cases involved clients who were female (60.2%), single (55.8%), living at home (56.8%), unemployed (85.6%), and between 20 and 44 years of age (44.5%). The two programs varied on a number of factors related to the demographic profile and mental health needs of the different geographical regions in which they are located.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings highlight the need for further research into how MCPs can be integrated with related mental health services in offering clients the least intrusive and most efficient services.
Ferris
Lorraine E
LE
Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON. Lorraine.Ferris@utoronto.ca
De Siato
Christine
C
Sandercock
Jane
J
Williams
J Ivan
JI
Shulman
Kenneth I
KI
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008952:Mobile Health Units; D009864:Ontario; D012189:Retrospective Studies