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Brooklyn Mental Health Team Gives 24-Hour Service to Kids in Crisis

 Lisa Bodden (left) and her 12-year-old daughter received care from the Brooklyn Mobile Crisis Team and psychiatric social worker Debra Thomas (right). The agency provides immediate care for kids with emotional and behavioral issues.
Lisa Bodden (left) and her 12-year-old daughter received care from the Brooklyn Mobile Crisis Team and psychiatric social worker Debra Thomas (right). The agency provides immediate care for kids with emotional and behavioral issues.
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Visiting Nurse Service Of New York/Brooklyn Child Mobile Crisis Team

BROOKLYN — A city intervention program is doling out round-the-clock mental health care for Brooklyn kids in need.

The borough’s Child Mobile Crisis Team helps children up to age 17 with free, on-the-spot crisis management and in-home counseling, with workers driving out to locations within two hours of an incident.

The service was life-changing for Flatbush mother Lisa Bodden, who called 911 last September when she feared for her daughter’s life during a violent tantrum, she told DNAinfo New York.

Bodden felt helpless dealing with 12-year-old Angel's aggressive outbursts and rushed her to the Kings County Hospital emergency room after the girl continued screaming and throwing items throughout their home.

“She wasn’t well and I needed support. I could not do it alone,” Bodden said.

Medical care at the local hospital left the mother dissatisfied and her daughter still in need of assistance. Within an hour of a call to the city’s Lifenet hotline, a psychiatric social worker was at her door.

“It was like the angels were singing when she came in and it made such a big difference,” Bodden said.

Social worker Debra Thomas came to the family’s aid as part of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York’s crisis team.

The initiative is funded by a grant from the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and collaborates with city schools to provide support to children with emotional and behavioral issues.

Unlike other crisis teams, which respond within 24 to 48 hours, the Brooklyn team arrives at schools and homes in under two hours, Thomas said. Individuals can call for help anytime, seven days a week. 

“Sometimes you just need someone as soon as possible. Especially if the child is exhibiting certain behaviors, it could get worse,” she added.

The program is in response to a high volume of 911 calls made from city public schools for children described as “emotionally disturbed,” according to team representatives.

The incidents result in ambulance transport to a city emergency room, which are often unnecessary and do little to help the child’s behavior.

The crisis group works to de-escalate issues and provide recommendations to services like therapy, peer groups or day-treatment programs. Depending on the severity of the situation, the team will take children to the hospital and stay to ensure they receive the care they need.

Thomas encounters up to 20 kids each month with a wide range of mental health issues, including suicidal behavior, physical aggression and extreme mood swings.

For Bodden, who says her daughter is diagnosed with an “explosive behavior disorder,” the home visits and recommended therapy services were an answered prayer.

“It’s like God heard me and they came into my home to help my family move forward in a positive and healthy way,” Bodden said.

“It takes a village to raise a child and for people to get involved right away, that’s the real thing.”