The McLean County Triage Center (Triage Center) is attempting to make sure those working countless hours as first responders, emergency room doctors and nurses, and other frontline workers addressing the COVID-19 pandemic have the mental health support they need during this time. As such, the Triage Center is implementing new supportive mental health strategies to help ease the immense burden of first responders during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The McLean Country Triage Center will not only remain open to the public in order to maintain its crisis services, but also seeks to address increased community stress due to the coronavirus outbreak, and eliminate possible unnecessary use of emergency, health, and law enforcement services.
Beginning Monday, March 23rd, the McLean County Triage Center will begin providing temporary supportive mental health services to first responders who may be experiencing psychological fatigue, stress, or anxiety during response efforts related to the coronavirus outbreak. These supportive services will be accessible through a video conferencing platform, after an appointment is scheduled by contacting the Triage Center via phone (309-434-6567) or email (mhtriage@mcleancountyil.gov). Utilizing this tele-health solution, the Triage Center anticipates being capable of responding to initial requests from first responders and frontline workers within 60- 90 minutes, to then schedule an appointment with availability 24 hours a day. Both the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlight the importance of monitoring the psychological and emotional health of first responders during the current outbreak. The IDPH Clinical Health Guidance for Managing COVID-19 states that:
“Emotional reactions to this emerging health crisis are expected. Remind yourself, your staff and your patients that feeling sad, anxious, and overwhelmed or having other symptoms of distress such as trouble sleeping is normal. If symptoms become worse, encourage them, and yourself, to reach out for support and help”
The CDC has also put emphasis on maintaining the mental health of first responders during the current outbreak and has provided specific recommendations to help responders cope when feeling overwhelmed with the current situation.
Walk-in availability for the general public for the Triage Center will be maintained Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. The function of the Triage Center is key in ensuring that individuals are linked to the right care and supports in the moment they need it. Individuals receive an assessment, in-the-moment crisis interventions, and linkage to ongoing resources for behavioral health concerns. While the primary goal of the Triage Center is to provide compassion and resources to individuals in a behavioral health crisis, further goals include reduction in unnecessary emergency department visits or incarcerations, and savings across multiple systems.
In order to ensure the Triage Center is adhering to guidelines and precautions outlined by IDPH and CDC, staff will limit the number of individuals admitted to the Triage Center to maintain total Center numbers of less than 10 at all times, will screen individuals for symptoms before entry, and will take additional precautions with the elderly and those determined to have existing health conditions that may make them more vulnerable to Coronavirus.
“It is the hope of the Triage Center to maintain existing services in a safe and responsible way, but to bolster our commitment to McLean County residents during a time when supportive services are most needed,” said McLean County Behavioral Health Coordinating Council Supervisor, Trisha Malott. The McLean County Triage Center is located at the southwest corner of the first floor of the 200 W. Front Street building in Bloomington, Illinois, with entrance to the facility on the South side of the building.
