Why contact crisis services?
When life has reached a point causing you to feel that you can’t manage it on your own, is a good time to call crisis. This may include emotional distress, family conflict, significant loss, substance related crisis and many other stressors. The following are some common reasons for calling the crisis line:
- Thoughts or plans of suicide or ending your own life
- Self harming behavior including cutting or other harmful behaviors
- Thoughts or plans of harming someone else
- Major conflicts with family members including children perhaps to the point involving law enforcement
- Sudden or traumatic loss of a loved one or anything that impacts your ability to live your life in a normal way
- Lack of access to basic needs including food, shelter, and medications
- Alcohol or drug related issues that create risk to self or others
What if I am concerned about a family member or a friend? Crisis team members visit with concerned relatives and friends on a daily basis. We will offer directions and options to help you and your loved one. It is important to understand that the crisis team has limited authority and can’t “force” anyone into seeking help. If your family member of friend reports an immediate safety concern, we will likely recommend that you call 911. Our primary goal is to help you find a way to get your loved one connected to services.
Available Crisis Services
Screening and Risk Assessment: This is a meeting with a qualified mental health professional to evaluate your current situation and to develop a plan based on your needs. This plan may include referral to a hospital for more intensive services or it may include a follow up plan in the community. This service may be conducted at the office, a local hospital or emergency room, or via tele-video.
Crisis Intervention Services: The Four County crisis team offers a variety of services to help stabilize both adults and children in crisis. These services are provided by various team members. These services include:
Crisis Therapy and Intervention: Crisis therapy and intervention is a one on one service with a qualified mental health professional to help stabilize your situation and to develop a plan to help you be safe and well.
Crisis Case Management: A crisis case manager works with you one on one to help address any needs that may be interfering with your recovery. This may a include a focus on food, housing, or connecting with community resources. Crisis case managers often provide follow up calls and contacts after a crisis incident to assure that you are doing well in the community.
Crisis Attendant Care: Crisis Attendant care is a one on one service to provide longer term support until a crisis is resolved. This may occur in the community or at a Four County facility.
Crisis Stabilization Unit: Four County has a two bed crisis stabilization facility located at the Independence main branch. The crisis stabilization unit is for adults, aged 18 years and older. People who stay in this facility receive supportive services from a variety of staff. The typical length of stay is 12 hours but may be longer if needed.