CADA's Mobile Response Team: A New Lifeline for Mental Health and Addiction in Northwest Louisiana

On Monday, October 14, 2024, a new, vital service became available for residents of nine parishes in Northwest Louisiana: the CADA Mobile Response Team. This initiative, launched by the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA) in Shreveport, provides a crucial resource for individuals facing mental health or addiction crises. The team is available to respond to calls from the public, assist first responders, and support emergency rooms in situations where mental health or addiction expertise is needed.

Modeled after similar programs in cities like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Alexandria, this mobile response unit offers a fresh approach to crisis intervention. It fills a much-needed gap, ensuring that people in distress receive appropriate care and guidance without unnecessary delays. Whether it’s a call from someone seeking help or an on-site request from police or EMS, CADA’s trained staff can respond quickly, providing immediate support and connecting individuals to long-term mental health or addiction treatment services.

A New Approach to Crisis Response

Traditional first responders, such as police officers and paramedics, often find themselves in situations where they are not fully equipped to handle mental health or addiction crises. This can lead to inappropriate outcomes, such as unnecessary arrests or extended waits in emergency rooms. The CADA Mobile Response Team is designed to prevent these situations by stepping in with trained mental health and addiction professionals who can address the underlying issues directly.

“We’re letting medical people do medical, and everybody else do what they need to do as first responders,” said Janet Miller, CADA’s executive director. Now, first responders can focus on their primary duties, while CADA personnel take the lead on mental health and addiction-related cases.

The mobile response unit covers a wide area, serving Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, and Webster parishes. While the CADA building is based in Shreveport, Miller expects that much of their work will take place in rural areas where mental health resources are more limited. "We won’t know what the needs are until we go," she explained, noting that the team is prepared to adapt as the program expands.

Peer Support at the Heart of the Team

One of the standout features of the CADA Mobile Response Team is its use of peer support personnel—individuals who have personally experienced and recovered from mental health or addiction challenges. These peer support workers bring a level of understanding and empathy that is often crucial in de-escalating crises and building trust with those in distress.

Austin Theriot, the peer support coordinator, emphasizes the importance of lived experience in these roles. Peer support staff must have been in recovery for at least a year, ensuring they can effectively relate to and help others who are going through similar struggles. "To be a peer, you have to be able to leverage your lived experience," Theriot said. "The longer you’ve demonstrated recovery, the stronger you’ll be as a peer support."

Currently, the team includes 10 peer support workers, with plans for expansion. The peer supporters are backed by clinicians who offer additional expertise when needed. This blend of personal experience and professional training makes the team uniquely qualified to handle the complex nature of addiction and mental health crises.

Addressing Gaps in Law Enforcement and Emergency Care

For years, law enforcement officers have struggled with how to handle mental health crises effectively. Without adequate training or resources, officers often find that their only option is to take individuals into custody, even when they’re more in need of treatment than incarceration. Caddo Sheriff Henry Whitehorn, who has made improving the response to mental health issues a priority, welcomed the launch of the CADA Mobile Response Team.

“When you have those mental health professionals embedded with your team, they can better assess a situation, maybe make a referral, maybe calm a situation down,” Whitehorn said. “Law enforcement is not trained to handle a mental crisis.”

Emergency room personnel face similar challenges. Hospitals often serve as a last resort for people experiencing mental health crises, but ER staff may not have the specialized training or resources needed to address these issues comprehensively. Beth Springer, vice president for emergency departments and stroke services at Willis-Knighton Health, is enthusiastic about the new program’s potential to ease the burden on emergency rooms.

"This will decrease wait times,” Springer said. "It clears out a bed quicker, but more importantly, it gets those people help." By having the mobile team available to respond in the field, individuals in crisis can be directed to the appropriate care faster, improving outcomes and reducing strain on emergency services.

A Vision for the Future

At the moment, the CADA Mobile Response Team operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., but there are plans to expand those hours. “The ultimate goal is that we would be 24/7,” said Miller. As the program grows, the team will assess the demand and determine how best to meet the needs of the community.

The early success of this initiative will likely be a stepping stone to further expansion, not just in terms of hours but also in personnel and resources. CADA is already looking to recruit more peer support workers, and those interested can apply through the organization’s website. However, applicants must meet strict criteria, including at least a year of demonstrated recovery, to ensure they are ready for the demands of the job.

A Lifesaving Resource for the Region

The launch of the CADA Mobile Response Team marks a significant step forward in how Northwest Louisiana addresses mental health and addiction crises. It’s a service that promises to provide relief not only for individuals and families in distress but also for first responders who often find themselves stretched beyond their areas of expertise.

"Something’s not been working. We have higher suicide rates, higher alcohol-use rates," Miller said. "So something different has to happen, and this is going to be something different."

For those in need of help, the CADA Mobile Response Team can be reached at 318-222-8511. Whether it’s a loved one struggling with addiction or a friend facing a mental health crisis, this team stands ready to provide compassionate, expert care—and to help guide them toward recovery.

‍