Behavioral Health Mobile Unit
Behavioral Health Mobile Unit
The Fulton County Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) Mobile Unit increases access to mental health and substance use services by bringing care and information directly into communities. This innovative resource also educates residents about available programs and how to navigate behavioral health support.
In 2021, DBHDD secured a $3.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to support COVID-19 mitigation and improve access to behavioral health services, especially within racial and ethnic minority communities and other vulnerable populations. This effort was in collaboration with the Fulton County Board of Health, Morehouse School of Medicine, Blk Cross Inc., and the Department of External Affairs.
Equipped with state-of-the-art features, the Mobile Unit includes:
- Three private consultation rooms
- Telehealth capabilities
- Interior and exterior monitors
- Large screen television
- Wheelchair accessibility
- Onboard restroom
Services Provided by the Mobile Unit Include:
- Educational materials on mental illness and substance use disorders
- Assistance with scheduling behavioral health appointments
- Referrals to Fulton County Behavioral Health Network providers
- Participation in community events that promote mental health wellness and recovery
- Promoting the message: “Help is Here”
fulton county behavioral health network
mental health mobile unit schedule
Saturday, May 18, 2024
District 4 Commissioner Natalie Hall SpringFest
Pittsburg Yard
352 University Ave SW
Atlanta, GA 30310
May 18, 2024
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Atlanta Streets Are Alive: Sundays in Summer 2024
Peachtree Street: From Mitchell St. SW to 15 St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
May 19, 2024
1 p.m. - 5 p.m. (Streets close at 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; arrive 12 p.m.)
fulton County behavioral health network
Frequently Asked Questions
When and why did the Department of BHDD decide to invest in a Mental Health Mobile Unit?
The opportunity to seek funding for a Mental Health Mobile Unit presented itself in 2021 when the Fulton County Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) applied for and received a grant from the US Department of Health and Human Service – Office of Minority Health. The grant was titled, Advancing Health Literacy to Enhance Equitable Community Response to COVID-19.
· The grant provided $3.9 million to develop and implement health literacy strategies in minority, underserved communities adversely affected by COVID-19.
· The grant also allowed the Department of BHDD to achieve the following:
· Hire and train a Health Outreach Worker team that participates and collaborates in community outreach events throughout Fulton County.
· Manufacture and deploy the Mental Health Mobile Unit.
· Create a Community Coalition Board that simultaneously serves as an advisory board.
· Create an online hub for information regarding COVID-19 and behavioral health resources.
· Establish an organizational health literacy initiative for behavioral health providers.
· The grant provided $3.9 million to develop and implement health literacy strategies in minority, underserved communities adversely affected by COVID-19.
· The grant also allowed the Department of BHDD to achieve the following:
· Hire and train a Health Outreach Worker team that participates and collaborates in community outreach events throughout Fulton County.
· Manufacture and deploy the Mental Health Mobile Unit.
· Create a Community Coalition Board that simultaneously serves as an advisory board.
· Create an online hub for information regarding COVID-19 and behavioral health resources.
· Establish an organizational health literacy initiative for behavioral health providers.
What is the purpose of the Mental Health Mobile Unit?
· Expand the ability of the Department of BHDD to strengthen behavioral health and COVID-19 vaccination outreach efforts to minority and under-served communities.
· Educate the public about behavioral health services and the Fulton County Behavioral Health Network by stationing the mobile unit at neighborhood events and meetings, libraries, senior centers, schools, and other locations where our Outreach teams can interact with residents on a personal level.
· Aid individuals in minority and under-served communities in learning about behavioral health services that are available - regardless of insurance status and ability to pay as well as where to access COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.
· Through its visibility in the community, the Mental Health Mobile Unit will better enable the Department of BHDD to confront the stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders.
· Educate the public about behavioral health services and the Fulton County Behavioral Health Network by stationing the mobile unit at neighborhood events and meetings, libraries, senior centers, schools, and other locations where our Outreach teams can interact with residents on a personal level.
· Aid individuals in minority and under-served communities in learning about behavioral health services that are available - regardless of insurance status and ability to pay as well as where to access COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.
· Through its visibility in the community, the Mental Health Mobile Unit will better enable the Department of BHDD to confront the stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders.
What are the short-term and long-term benefits of the Mobile Unit?
· Both the short and long-term benefits of the mobile unit include enabling the Department of BHDD and the Fulton County Behavioral Health Network to have a greater presence in Fulton County to promote behavioral health services, and provide access to behavioral health care, and COVID-19 vaccinations. In addition, the mobile unit will also help confront the stigma surrounding behavioral health disorders and foster a path for individuals to seek and enter recovery.
· A long-term benefit of the mental health mobile unit will see the addition of a licensed behavioral health clinician traveling to specific locations with the Outreach Team. The presence of a clinician enables individuals who need assistance to receive a clinical assessment, which can be transmitted to a designated Fulton County Behavioral Health location for the individual to seek treatment. That will eliminate a critical step in the process when the individual arrives at the clinic for an appointment.
· If the person is in crisis and needs immediate assistance, the clinician will be able to assess their condition to get the individual the most appropriate care. This includes having patients transported to the Fulton County Behavioral Health Crisis Center that will open in 2024, or to another receiving crisis stabilization facility.
· A long-term benefit of the mental health mobile unit will see the addition of a licensed behavioral health clinician traveling to specific locations with the Outreach Team. The presence of a clinician enables individuals who need assistance to receive a clinical assessment, which can be transmitted to a designated Fulton County Behavioral Health location for the individual to seek treatment. That will eliminate a critical step in the process when the individual arrives at the clinic for an appointment.
· If the person is in crisis and needs immediate assistance, the clinician will be able to assess their condition to get the individual the most appropriate care. This includes having patients transported to the Fulton County Behavioral Health Crisis Center that will open in 2024, or to another receiving crisis stabilization facility.
Who is your primary target audience?
· The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities will utilize the mental health mobile unit to reach all areas of Fulton County, with an emphasis on underserved communities and populations who have difficulty accessing behavioral health services.
What type of services can people expect to receive when entering the Mobile Unit?
Individuals entering the Mental Health Mobile Unit can expect the following types of services:
During the early rollout phase:
· Education and information about mental illness, substance use disorders, COVID-19, and COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters that are recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
· Information about behavioral health services offered by the Fulton County Behavioral Health Network and assistance with accessing care.
During the latter rollout phase:
· Private meeting with a licensed behavioral health clinician about their specific behavioral health concerns.
· Clinical assessment and assistance with scheduling an appointment at a Fulton County Behavioral Health Network location.
· Eventually, individuals will have access to tele-health services with either a licensed behavioral health clinician and/or psychiatrist.
During the early rollout phase:
· Education and information about mental illness, substance use disorders, COVID-19, and COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters that are recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
· Information about behavioral health services offered by the Fulton County Behavioral Health Network and assistance with accessing care.
During the latter rollout phase:
· Private meeting with a licensed behavioral health clinician about their specific behavioral health concerns.
· Clinical assessment and assistance with scheduling an appointment at a Fulton County Behavioral Health Network location.
· Eventually, individuals will have access to tele-health services with either a licensed behavioral health clinician and/or psychiatrist.
Who will be administering the services on the Mobile Unit?
· General information and education about behavioral health and COVID-19 vaccinations will be provided by the BHDD Outreach Team. Clinical assessments will be provided by a licensed behavioral health clinician at a later date.
When will the Mobile Unit be available to the public?
· Fulton County residents can expect to begin seeing the Mental Health Mobile Unit in June 2023. Now that the mobile unit has arrived, we will train staff on the operations of the vehicle and stock materials onboard to educate the public about behavioral health programs and services. We have implemented a travel schedule for June that will continuously expand as we coordinate with our partner agencies.
Are there specific Mental Health Mobile Unit service hours? If so, please advise.
· Service hours will vary depending on the location or community event that the mobile unit will attend. Since the mobile unit will be assigned to specific community outreach events, the mobile unit may be in operation in the evening or weekends. Therefore, no specific hours of operation have been determined at this time.
What are the service areas for the Mobile Unit?
· The Mental Health Mobile Unit will service all of Fulton County, Georgia.
For more information about the Mobile Unit, who should people contact?
· Please contact Brian J. Williams, Program Evaluation Specialist at: brian1.williams@fultoncountyga.gov