LEONARDTOWN, Md. (July 8, 2025) – The St. Mary’s County Health Department and Charles County Health Department have partnered with Affiliated Santé Group to launch a mobile crisis team serving residents of St. Mary’s and Charles Counties. The initiative, known as Santé Southern Maryland Crisis Response, aims to provide immediate support for individuals experiencing behavioral health emergencies. Residents can access the service by calling or texting 988.
The mobile crisis team comprises a trained mental health professional and a peer support specialist who respond in person to individuals in crisis at their homes or within the community. The service operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to midnight, offering in-person support during these hours. Additionally, Santé’s phone counselors are available 24/7 to assist residents of both counties. The program is designed to deliver timely intervention, prioritizing de-escalation and connecting individuals to appropriate long-term care resources.
Affiliated Santé Group, Maryland’s largest crisis provider, brings over 25 years of experience to the initiative. The organization focuses on offering an alternative response to behavioral health emergencies, ensuring individuals receive care from professionals trained to address their specific needs. The mobile crisis team collaborates with local resources to reduce emergency room visits and prevent incarceration by guiding individuals toward community-based support systems.
“The mobile crisis team will work closely with local resources,” said Tina Marie Brown, Director of the Santé Southern Maryland Crisis Response. “Our goal is to reduce emergency room visits and divert community members from incarceration by connecting them to local resources. We look forward to working with all St. Mary’s and Charles County providers to build an effective and efficient crisis service.”
The initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen behavioral health care in Southern Maryland. Health officials emphasize the importance of accessible, immediate support for those in crisis. “These services come to your door when you or a loved one need help during a mental health crisis,” said Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer. “Mobile crisis services are a key part of building a stronger system of behavioral health care for our community.”
Dr. Dianna Abney, Charles County Health Officer, highlighted the flexibility of the service in meeting individual needs. “A crisis is defined by the person or family experiencing it, at the time they are experiencing it and at the place they are experiencing it. Mobile Crisis services meet you where you are and bring Behavioral Health services to you when you need them most. Mobile Crisis Response can decrease the time it takes to start care,” she said.
The mobile crisis team’s operational framework includes coordination with local law enforcement, health providers, and community organizations to ensure a seamless response system. The program aims to create a compassionate and efficient approach to crisis intervention by integrating with existing resources. The service is expected to alleviate pressure on emergency departments and provide a more tailored response to mental health emergencies.
Santé’s 24/7 phone counseling complements the in-person response, offering continuous support for residents. The combination of immediate in-person intervention and round-the-clock phone assistance ensures that individuals have access to help whenever a crisis arises. The initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need for specialized mental health services in Southern Maryland, where access to timely care has been a longstanding concern.
The launch of the mobile crisis team marks a significant step toward improving behavioral health outcomes in St. Mary’s and Charles Counties. By focusing on de-escalation and resource connection, the program seeks to address crises in a way that supports long-term recovery and community well-being. Residents are encouraged to use the 988 hotline to access these services during a behavioral health emergency.