Expanded MRSS program delivers faster mental-health support for youth across Ohio

Having local young people thrive again is what Tiffanie Kestner loves most about the recently expanded Mobile Response and Stabilization Services program in Ohio.

The CEO and president of the Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties said her organization becoming an MRSS regional provider has allowed it to bring needed resources to anybody in the area who has concerns about children and teens with mental health issues.

“When young people are able to say, ‘I like going to school again, I’m not so anxious, I can get up in the morning, I’m not fighting with my parents, or ‘Instead of thinking about dying, I’m learning something and enjoying my life again,’ that’s the rewarding part,” Kestner said.

Prior to the expansion, the MRSS program was only available in 56 of Ohio’s counties.

Now it’s available in all 88 at no cost to anyone experiencing mental, emotional or behavioral distress, according to a news release from the Office of Gov. Mike DeWine, who made the announcement.

“When it comes to our children, we have no time to lose,” DeWine said. “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 they live in Ohio.”

That is especially important in rural counties like Wayne, Holmes, Ashland and Richland, where the Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties has provided MRSS services since September. It partners with Appleseed in Ashland and Family Life in Richland for MRSS services.

The Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties is one of 12 regional providers to ensure statewide coverage of MRSS services.

The MRSS program also provides prompt response. Instead of calling 911 and having local fire and police respond, people can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and request MRSS. Within 60 minutes a team of trained professionals including a licensed clinician will come to a home, a school or any other safe place in the community.

Kestner said the average response time for her organization, which has served youth all over both Wayne and Holmes counties since 2022, is about 27 minutes to have a licensed therapist and another team member come help in an urgent situation.

“It’s really helpful too because MRSS includes stabilization, so we can work with people for up to six weeks or so and really build a good relationship,” Kestner said. “So it’s not a one-and-done. We can then stay engaged and help and support and follow up.”

By building those good relationships, Kestner said her counselors and other mental health professionals across the state can make people feel more comfortable to share what is helping and what isn’t until they are doing much better.

Developing the regional framework for expanding the MRSS program started in April when DeWine announced the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health, formerly Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Ohio Department of Medicaid would work together on the expansion, according to the news release, which also said providers worked with the state to develop readiness plans, partnership agreements and onboard staff.

Brittany Phillips, an MRSS therapist on the Wayne and Holmes team, said the team is honored to become a regional provider for the area.

“I personally have loved working on the MRSS team in our area, being able to provide hope and support to youth and families who are at the end of their rope and don't know what to do next,” Phillips said. “The work can be challenging at times, but it is such a joy and so rewarding when we see families reconnect and youth begin to flourish at home and school.”

According to the release, mobile response is available to youth Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. while tele-response is available after hours with a follow-up, in-person visit the next day. All regional providers are expected to offer mobile response 24/7 by April 2028.

To learn more, visit mrss.ohio.gov.