DUBLIN, Ohio — Mobile Response and Stabilization Services, also known as MRSS, will expand to all 88 counties by July 1. The free emergency response program is currently implemented in 50 counties, and Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, said it’s already making a positive impact. 

“Unless you've personally experienced a child in crisis, it is really hard to understand just how difficult it is to know what to do,” said the Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services LeeAnne Cornyn.

What You Need To Know

  • Mobile Response and Stabilization Services also known as MRSS will expand to all 88 counties by July 1, 2025

  • The Mobile Response and Stabilization Services deploys trained professionals to help anyone 20 years old or younger who are dealing with a behavioral health crisis free of charge

  • To request help, you can either call the 988 Suicide Crisis Hotline or by calling MRSS directly at 888-418-MRSS 

“Places across the state that have already offered MRSS have seen better behavioral health outcomes, less juvenile justice involvement, fewer inpatient residential stays for children and fewer children spending the night in emergency departments because of a behavioral health crisis,” said DeWine. 

Cornyn believes this statewide expansion is essential. 

“MRSS is an essential service within Ohio's system of care to fill a gap for youth and families needing urgent behavioral health services to a situation that the family or the young person define as a crisis,” said Cornyn. 

Within an hour of when a call comes in, the Mobile Response and Stabilization Services deploys trained professionals to help anyone 20 years old or younger who are dealing with a behavioral health crisis. Then, after they de-escalate the situation, families receive follow up support for six weeks. It’s a service that Susan Wittig, an elementary school principal in Dublin, said has already made a tremendous impact on one of her students who experienced a crisis at school. 

“Clinicians from Nationwide Children's Hospital arrived within the hour and partnered seamlessly with our student, their family and our school team to develop a very clear plan for services, counseling and most importantly, ongoing care. Today, I'm happy to share that our student is thriving,” said Wittig. 

Wittig’s testimonial is what drives DeWine and partners to push for this expansion.

“Soon, every family in Ohio will be able to rest assured that if their child were to experience a crisis, MRSS stands ready to help them navigate that challenge,” said DeWine. 

To request help, you can either call the 988 Suicide Crisis Hotline or by calling MRSS directly at 888-418-MRSS.