Columbus, Ohio – In a sweeping effort to address rising behavioral health needs among young people, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) is now active in all 88 counties across the state. This statewide expansion brings immediate, in-person help to children and young adults aged 20 and under who are experiencing mental, emotional, or behavioral health crises—at no cost to families.
Help Where and When It’s Needed Most
Before this expansion, MRSS was only available in 56 counties. With this milestone, Ohio now ensures that every young person, regardless of where they live, can receive prompt, compassionate crisis care. Families, teachers, doctors, law enforcement, peers—or even the youth themselves—can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and request MRSS. A team including a licensed clinician will arrive within 60 minutes at a safe location, whether it’s a home, school, or another community setting.
“When it comes to our children, we have no time to lose,” Governor DeWine emphasized. “Far too many are struggling with their mental health, and parents and caregivers don’t know where to turn when their child needs help. MRSS provides that immediate help to all young people, no matter where in Ohio they live.”
Launched in partnership by the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) and the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM), MRSS offers both crisis intervention and up to 42 days of stabilization support. “With MRSS, there is no threshold for what defines a crisis,” said DBH Interim Director Tia Marcel Moretti. “If it is a crisis to a caller, then MRSS will respond.”
Stabilization and Long-Term Impact
Once deployed, MRSS responders help calm the situation, create a safety plan, and provide resources for continued care. Upon parental or guardian consent, stabilization support kicks in—offering skill-building and connections to community-based programs. This extended care is already making a difference.
Between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, there were 10,249 calls to MRSS. The leading reasons for referral were suicidality (41%) and family conflict/stress (27%). For those who received ongoing support, the results were remarkable:
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99.7% had no new admissions to residential treatment centers
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99.1% avoided crisis stabilization units
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99% had no new detention center admissions
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98.2% had no further incidents involving police due to behaviors
These outcomes highlight MRSS’s role in diverting youth from emergency rooms, the justice system, and other restrictive settings.
A Statewide Network Built on Local Strength
To implement this expansion, the state worked with 12 service providers to cover all counties. Each regional provider developed operational plans, trained staff, and formed partnerships to ensure readiness. Currently, mobile response is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with tele-response support after hours. An in-person follow-up is conducted the next day. By April 2028, all regions are expected to offer 24/7 mobile crisis response.
Local leaders have praised the program. Randy Allman, President & CEO of Butler Behavioral Health, which covers Butler, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren counties, described MRSS as a “comprehensive system” that helps youth before they enter more serious systems like juvenile detention.
Similarly, Tiffanie Kestner, CEO of The Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties, said the wraparound services ensure “youth can continue to thrive after the initial contact.”
Additionally, MRSS serves as a vital entry point to OhioRISE, the state’s behavioral health coordination system for youth with complex needs. Youth assessed within 72 hours can be connected to long-term care and case management.
A Long-Term Commitment to Families
“Expanding MRSS statewide ensures every child and family in Ohio can access immediate, compassionate crisis support—wherever they are,” said ODM Director Scott Partika. “This initiative demonstrates our commitment to meeting families’ needs, connecting youth to vital care, and strengthening the future of our communities.”
With this expansion, Ohio has taken a bold and vital step in reimagining how children’s mental health crises are addressed. For families seeking help, MRSS stands ready to answer the call.
For more information, visit mrss.ohio.gov.
