Panic Buttons Provide Added Safety for‍ Mental ⁤Health Mobile Crisis ​Teams

‌ ⁤ ⁤ Updated June 18, 2025
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Social ‍service and mental health agencies are increasingly turning ​to wearable panic buttons to bolster the ​safety of their mobile response teams.These devices offer an added layer of security when workers are out‌ on calls, ofen in unpredictable ⁣situations.

The Association for ‌Individual ⁤Development (AID),based in Aurora,IL,is one such organization. their mobile crisis response teams now utilize the panic ⁢button system.

Andrea Hasko-Marx, AID Recovery Support Specialist Lead, emphasized the importance⁢ of safety. “There’s a lot of unknowns,” Hasko-Marx said, “there’s people that are in crisis that are​ not feeling well and‍ we ⁤just want to make everybody safe and secure not only on our team,⁤ but the people that are in ‍crisis as well.”

AID’s mobile crisis response team consists of⁢ 30 members. They manage mental health and crisis support referrals across Kane and Kendall counties. Hasko-Marx ‌noted that team members‍ grab a panic⁢ button each time they respond ​to a call.

Hasko-Marx recounted⁣ one instance where the panic button proved invaluable. “The one time that I had to activate it there was a person in a mental health crisis and they were⁢ running out‌ into the street and running toward the highway,” she ⁤said. “So I had to run ⁣after the person and it was just ‌perfect⁣ that it was right there and I can contact ⁤the police in motion.”

AID began deploying the devices following the 2021 launch of the 988 suicide ⁢and crisis hotline. Alyssa Marrero,​ AID Mobile Crisis Team⁤ and Crisis Line Director, explained that the discreet nature ⁣of the panic button allows⁤ staff to connect⁤ with support without escalating tense situations.

“It‌ can give us ‌real‍ time GPS updates to the staff’s location it also allows them to check in with us whether or not they’re in an ‍emergency just to say hey ‌we’re here we’re​ safe,” Marrero said. “They ‌have‍ footsteps so ​it follows them if ⁤they enact that ‍if they‍ change ‍their locations.”

The panic button, created‍ by Silent Beacon, also provides a direct line to 911.

Kenny‌ Kelley,⁣ founder and ⁣CEO of Silent Beacon, highlighted ‌the device’s capabilities.”It calls 911 it can send your location to your⁣ group your associates but obviously it’s⁣ just an add on to the other‌ safety‌ measures that you’re‌ doing,” kelley said.

Kelley added that several ⁢states have ⁣already mandated panic buttons across various sectors, with more considering similar legislation. He cited⁢ Washington state for ⁢retail, New York for unspecified applications, and‌ other states for‌ hotels and schools using Alyssa’s Law.

Kelley noted the increasing demand for ​such devices. “Unfortunately, when an incident‌ occurs then our⁢ phones start ringing,” he said. “People who are coming to⁣ us who have these concerns or it’s a state mandate or there’s a‍ situation that requires them to look ‌out for ​things‌ like this.”

as AID experiences a rise in​ referral calls, its ⁤response team views⁣ the panic button as an⁤ essential⁣ tool ⁤for ensuring the safety⁤ of everyone⁣ involved.

“I ⁣think it’s one of the safest ⁣ways and ⁢immediate ways‍ that you‌ can have‌ extra help when you need it,” Hasko-Marx said. “I⁢ think it’s a great model‍ for safety.”

What’s ⁢next

With‍ the increasing focus on mental health support ‌and mobile crisis intervention, expect to see wider adoption of safety measures like panic buttons to protect both responders and⁣ those they ⁤serve.