You're Not in New York City, Yet You Need Help for a City Resident. LifeNet is a confidential, crisis information and referral service where all calls are kept in strictest confidence. There is absolutely no charge to you. LifeNet is provided as a free community service by the Mental Health Association of New York City, Inc. in collaboration with the New York City Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services. The Office of Crisis Intervention Services has operational oversight responsibility for the Department's Mobile Crisis Management Services.
Teams operate under the auspices of voluntary agencies and municipals hospitals.
They respond to persons in the community, usually visiting them at home, although their mandate allows them to make contact at other locations. Mobile crisis teams serve any person in New York City who is experiencing, or is at risk of, a psychological crisis, and who requires mental health intervention and follow up support to overcome resistance to treatment. Mobile Crisis Team staff provide a range of services including assessment, crisis intervention, supportive counseling, information and referrals, linkage with appropriate community based mental health services for ongoing treatment, and follow up. In most instances the police will direct the ambulance services operated by the City's Emergency Medical Services to provide actual transport. The majority of mobile crisis teams have 9.37 designated psychiatrists on their staffs.