The Miami-Dade County Behavioral Health Advisory Board convened on July 29, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding mental health services and community support systems. The meeting began with remarks from Theo Karen Salas, vice chair of the Miami-Dade Commission on Disability Issues, who emphasized the importance of collaboration between various boards to support residents with physical and mental disabilities, particularly those in crisis.

Following Salas's introduction, the board welcomed Danny Blanco, Chief Operating Officer of WestCare Florida, who presented an overview of the organization’s services, including the mobile response team (MRT) that operates 24/7 in Miami-Dade County. Blanco highlighted WestCare's mission to uplift the human spirit and its extensive history of serving the community for over 50 years. The presentation detailed the various programs offered, including residential and outpatient services, youth outreach, and the mobile crisis response team.

Luciana Beltran, the program director of the MRT, provided statistics illustrating the prevalence of mental health issues in Miami-Dade County. She noted that approximately one in five adults experiences a mental illness annually, with serious conditions affecting 4 to 5 percent of the population. Alarmingly, suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth aged 15 to 24 in the county. The presentation underscored the necessity of the MRT in addressing these challenges through timely intervention and support.

The MRT aims to reduce trauma and divert individuals from emergency departments and the juvenile justice system, providing in-person crisis intervention by licensed clinicians. The team has demonstrated a strong response capability, averaging a response time of under 60 minutes for crisis calls. In the fiscal year 2024, the MRT received 3,175 crisis calls, with a significant portion coming from schools, highlighting the need for mental health support among minors.

Blanco and Beltran also discussed the importance of follow-up services, which include connecting individuals to community resources and support systems after a crisis. The data presented indicated a 68% increase in crisis calls over the past two years, reflecting both the growing need for mental health services and the community's trust in the MRT.

The meeting concluded with a call for continued collaboration among community organizations to enhance mental health services and support for residents in Miami-Dade County. The board expressed its commitment to addressing these pressing issues and improving outcomes for individuals facing behavioral health challenges.