Mental Health Mobile Assessment

Purpose
If a student is in crisis, and it is believed they are a danger to themselves or others, a mobile
assessment can be used to evaluate the student’s immediate mental health needs.

Process
If there is a concern that a student is a danger to themselves or others, the following steps will
be taken:
1. Contact the school counselor or mental health practitioner immediately with the concerns
by phone or in person.
2. If the school counselor or mental health practitioner determines that a mobile
assessment is needed, parent permission must be obtained prior to scheduling a mobile
assessment. This can be verbal permission over the phone.
3. We have several community partners that can complete a mobile assessment with
parent permission. These community partners are:
➢ The Brook: 896-0495
➢ Our Lady of Peace: 451-3333
➢ Centerstone crisis line: 589-8070
5. Once parent permission is received, you may call one of the above partners and they
will send a trained mental health assessor to the school to complete an evaluation. The
results of the evaluation are shared with a physician who will make recommendations for
treatment.
a. Treatment may include outpatient therapy, intensive outpatient therapeutic
services, or hospitalization.
b. The results of the evaluation are discussed with the families to develop an
individual treatment plan.
6. If parents refuse a mobile assessment, the school counselor or mental health practitioner
will work with parents to develop an ongoing plan of support. Parents may refuse a
mobile assessment because they want their child to see a mental health professional
that they have an ongoing relationship with and are in their care. If the school counselor
or mental health practitioner feels the student is in imminent danger to themselves or
others, a CPS call may be warranted.
a. If parents refuse a mobile assessment for a suicide threat, and the school or
mental health practitioner feel the child is a danger to themselves or others, the
parent/guardian must sign the Suicide Prevention Parent Release Letter. The
parent is to be given a copy of the letter, and the school will keep the original.
b. If the student is recommended for inpatient treatment, parents have the right to
decline however it would be against doctor’s orders and considered medical
neglect. Therefore CPS would be called by the hospital and school if necessary.

Special Considerations:
1. If the student is a danger to themselves or others, they should not be left alone at any
time.
2. Students age 16 and above cannot refuse the assessment; however, they do have the
right to refuse treatment.
3. If the student is age 18 or over, they have the right to decline the assessment. If
assessed and found to be at risk to self or others, the psychiatrist has the right to place a
legal “hold” where the student must be transported to the hospital and be admitted.
4. If staff are informed of risks to student well-being after school hours, the parent/legal
guardian should be contacted immediately. The police may be called for a well-ness
check if parent/guardian cannot be contacted or cannot get to the student.