JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WAVE) – A new study shows how mental health crisis services in Indiana save the state millions in healthcare and jail costs by diverting those in crisis away from jail and hospitalization.
According to a new study conducted by the company Blue & Co. and shared by the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers, crisis services save the state $45 million in jail services every year.
According to the study, these services also save $80 million annually in healthcare costs by cutting the need for emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations.
One of those services is LifeSpring Health Systems, which serves 11 counties in Southern Indiana.
“We are so fortunate to have very skilled law enforcement colleagues that we work very closely with. They will be the first to tell you we don’t want to make a decision about what to do with someone in a mental health crisis,” said LifeSpring CEO Dr. Beth Keeney.
LifeSpring operates a 24/7 crisis call center and deploys a mobile crisis team that can assist law enforcement on scene when they come into contact with someone in crisis.
“That team is made up of individuals with lived experience, either with behavioral health or substance use disorder, as well as trained crisis interventionists,” Keeney said.
Their team assists with more than just interactions with police, responding to a wide range of mental health calls.
“Sometimes we hear from law enforcement, sometimes EMS, patients will call us themselves, could be a family member, we also receive calls from the national 988 system,” Keeney said.
In 2024, LifeSpring’s crisis call center received more than 1,200 calls and their mobile crisis team was sent out 160 times.
LifeSpring also operates a crisis stabilization unit where those in crisis can stay for up to 24 hours and be connected to mental health treatment. In 2024, 187 people stayed at the unit, staying for an average of 14 hours.
“For example, if you are a 21-year-old person who experiences substance use disorder and your parents say you can’t stay in our house anymore, you can come and stay with us and we’re going to help you figure out what’s next,” Keeney said.
Keeney said having that dedicated space to bring people in crisis often prevents arrests and reduces the need for incarceration.
“We are trained for that. Our system is built around that and so anytime that we are able to help those officers make a decision on a scene and get someone connected to care, it’s a win not just for the patient but for the community,” Keeney said. “It puts treatment in front of a person when they need treatment.”
LifeSpring serves more than 14,000 people every year with a variety of behavioral health services, regardless of ability to pay.
If someone you know is in crisis, you can call LifeSpring’s crisis line at 833-SAFE-988.
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