Association for Individual Development (AID) Partnership with Silent Beacon
Protecting Mental Health Crisis Responders in the Field with Silent Beacon
At the Association for Individual Development (AID), the mission is clear: to empower people with physical, developmental, intellectual and mental health challenges to enjoy lives of dignity and purpose. But that mission also comes with risk. Every day, AID’s mobile crisis teams head into unpredictable, high-stress environments without the same safety tools and training that police or EMTs typically receive.
To protect their frontline staff, AID, which is based in Aurora, Illinois, turned to Silent Beacon, a wearable panic button designed for real-time emergency communication and GPS tracking. Since deploying the devices across their mobile units in Kane and Kendall Counties, AID has given its team something invaluable: peace of mind.
Featured on NBC 5 Chicago: How AID is Safeguarding Its Employees in the Field
See how AID is using Silent Beacon to keep crisis responders safe in the field. NBC 5 Chicago spotlighted the lifesaving role this wearable panic button plays in real emergencies, directly from the team on the front lines.
A Safety Solution for Mental Health Crisis Workers
From 24/7 Mobile Crisis Response Teams to their innovative “Living Room” model and street outreach programs, AID supports individuals in crisis throughout the Chicago area. With over 30 staff members responding to community-based referrals, safety is always a priority, but not always guaranteed.
“There’s a lot of unknowns,” says Andrea Hasko-Marx, Recovery Support Specialist Lead at AID. “There’s people 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.”
That’s why every time AID employees step into the field, they carry a Silent Beacon.
Why Silent Beacon: A Real-Time Lifeline on the Frontlines of Mental Health Work
Unlike smartphone apps that require scrolling or touchscreen navigation, Silent Beacon offers a one-touch solution. With the push of a button, AID’s crisis responders can:
-
Call 911 directly -
Alert supervisors and colleagues -
Share real-time GPS location -
Use silent mode to avoid escalation -
Check in safely, even when no emergency occurs
“It can give us real-time GPS updates to the staff’s location,” says Alyssa Marrero, Director of Crisis Services at AID. “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.’”
When Seconds Matter, the Silent Beacon Panic Button Is There
In one recent call, an AID crisis responder witnessed a client sprinting toward a high-traffic roadway. There was no time to reach for a phone or call for help.
“The one time that I had to activate [Silent Beacon] there was a person in a mental health crisis and they were running out into the street and running toward the highway,” recalls Hasko-Marx. “I had to run after the person and it was just perfect that it was right there and I could contact the police in motion.”
That’s exactly what Silent Beacon was built for: empowering responders to act without delay and without compromising safety or dignity.
Taking Action Before It’s Required
Since adopting Silent Beacon shortly after the national launch of its 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, AID has become a model for how mental health organizations can protect both their teams and the communities they serve.
Silent Beacon Founder and CEO Kenny Kelley, who built the wearable panic button to address the rising threat of workplace violence, sees growing momentum nationwide.
“At least seven states have panic button mandates, and 13 more are considering similar legislation,” he notes. “We’re proud to support proactive organizations like AID who don’t wait for a mandate, they act.”
A Model for Safer Crisis Response Nationwide
As AID continues to see rising demand for crisis response services, the organization remains committed to innovation that supports its mission and its people. For Hasko-Marx, the Beacon is more than a tool, it’s a lifeline.
“I think it’s one of the safest and most immediate ways to get extra help when you need it,” she says. “I think it’s a great model for safety.”
Learn How Your Organization Can Enhance Safety with Silent Beacon
Silent Beacon is proud to support organizations like AID that are making a real difference in their communities. If your organization is committed to enhancing safety and well-being, discover how our device can help by visiting our website or contact our team.