Robin Stull, a Crisis Navigator with Mobile Crisis Response Team of Ottawa County, gave a presentation on “Mental Health in the Workplace” during last week’s Ottawa County Safety Council at the Ottawa County Resource Center. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

When local law enforcement officers are dispatched to address a person dealing with a mental health crisis, they will often ask members of the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) of Ottawa County to partner with them on the call.

The MCRT, they say, adds another level of support for the person in crisis.

Robin Stull, a Crisis Navigator with MCRT, was the guest speaker at the Wednesday, Nov. 16 meeting of the Ottawa County Safety Council, held at the Ottawa County Resource Center in Oak Harbor. Stull gave a presentation on “Mental Health in the Workplace” and talked about her team’s work in the community, as well as the mental health resources available to area businesses.

Three members of MCRT work together to support local residents experiencing a mental health crisis. A Crisis Intervention Specialist, who has a public safety background, and a Crisis Case Manager, who is a mental health professional, respond to crisis situations along with police officers to assist with de-escalation, among other duties.

The Crisis Navigator is a licensed mental health professional who oversees the team and supports clients through follow-up connection. Navigators advocate for and educate their clients to help them live fulfilling, independent lives.

“I remind them of appointments, arrange to get them to appointments if necessary, and do check-ins,” Stull said. “I text some people two hours a day sometimes, and that’s ok. I’ll do whatever I can do to help them process life and get through the day.”

Stull told the room full of business professionals that mental health can be “the elephant in your office.” Mental health issues can impact productivity and the office atmosphere, so Stull provided attendees with several resources available in the county.

“One in five adults experience a mental health condition in a year,” she said. “The more you talk about mental health, the more the stigma starts to go away.”

The Ottawa County Safety Council is an Ohio Safety Council program under the auspices of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and is administered locally by the Ottawa County Improvement Corporation. The council, which exists to increase safety awareness in the community, meets the third Wednesday of every month, but December’s meeting has been canceled for the holidays.

For more information, visit www.ocic.biz/safety-council/.