Abstract for: Using the adapted “Anytown” acute mental health crisis system simulation model to inform community mental health investment

The U.S. mental health crisis system is under strain from increasing demand, declining psychiatric bed availability, extended ED waits, and law enforcement involvement leading to negative outcomes including preventable hospitalizations, incarceration, and suicide. Enhanced community-based crisis services may reduce unnecessary inpatient admissions and improve system efficiency and outcomes. We adapted our APA "Anytown" system dynamics model for Washtenaw County, Michigan, through extensive qualitative mapping with stakeholders using Kumu and targeted operational data collection. A deterministic simulation model was developed, calibrated to local metrics (ED visits, inpatient boarding time), enabling scenario analysis through an interactive dashboard guiding resource allocation. [work in progress submission] Our preliminary simulation model accurately replicates current utilization patterns such as ED and inpatient psychiatric usage. We are developing an interactive dashboard enabling stakeholders to simulate the impact of investing $1 million across crisis service components on outcomes meaningful to their communities (e.g., suicide prevention, jail census, involuntary hospitalization). Future steps include refining usability, validating with stakeholders, and leveraging findings to guide tailored, cost-effective policy decisions toward enhancing mental health system resilience. AI summarized our submission into the above abstract.