Some students may be placed by the family in a psychiatric hospital on a short-term basis to address acute needs. This is a medical service, paid for by family insurance or other outside source, not public school funds.
A student may be placed on a "Psychiatric Hold" for a limited time due to immediate danger to self or others. School staff may call the Crisis Team (or Psychiatric Mobile Response Team) if they are concerned about the safety of their student or others.
VENTURA COUNTY: Ventura County Behavioral Health provides crisis intervention services for psychiatric emergencies. The Crisis Team operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and is accessed by the entire community. Our experienced and trained mental health staff will provide you with assistance and support on the phone and, if indicated, will respond in person. Individuals and families are aided in creating the least restrictive plan for safety. If a higher level of care is needed, the Crisis Team may assist with the initial steps toward voluntary or involuntary psychiatric hospitalization. To request Ventura County Crisis Team Services or for immediate help, please call 1-866-998-2243.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY: The Psychiatric Mobile Response Team (PMRT) provides non-law enforcement-based mobile crisis response for clients experiencing a psychiatric emergency in the community. PMRT consists of LA County Department of Mental Health clinicians designated to perform evaluations for involuntary detention of individuals determined to be at risk of harming themselves or others, or who are unable to provide food, clothing, or shelter for themselves. PMRT enables successful triage of each situation involving mentally ill, violent or high-risk individuals. PMRT provides caring, deescalating and less traumatizing approaches to crisis intervention—and whenever possible avoids outcomes that involve hospitalization, incarceration, or additional injury. PMRTs’ tactics support clients and their families through trust and attention, and ultimately contribute to reducing stigma surrounding mental health and accessing help.
PMRTs also receive community calls that do not rise to the level of direct services; in these situations, staff provide information, referrals, and other kinds of alternative support. More than 23 entities send referrals to PMRT, making it a critical source of care and response across LA County.
To request Los Angeles County Psychiatric Mobile Response Team Services, please call our 24/7 Help Line at (800) 854-7771.
LA County Psychiatric Mobile Response Teams (PMRT) Fact Sheet