24 hour Mental Health Care: Providing Shelter during Life’s Storm

April 23, 2015

What can you do when you feel like your life is turning upside down? Who can you turn to when you feel like there is no one to turn to? What do you do when it is after 5:00 p.m.?

Crisis doesn’t always occur between the hours of 8 am – 5 pm., and unfortunately, most offices are closed after 5 pm, which makes it difficult to be seen by a mental health therapist. So what does one do when life’s storm starts thundering down?  Calling an 800 hotline is not always top of mind when someone is in crisis. Hillcrest has decided to provide a new service to the Dubuque County area.

Parts of the state have established a crisis phone number (1-855-800-1239) that connects people needing mental health care to counselors who can help.  If the counselor believes the person in crisis needs more help, the Hillcrest’s Mobile Crisis team will be dispatched to that person’s home or location. The team consists of licensed mental health therapist, bachelor level staff, as well as staff who have lived experience, referred to as peer supports. Most often two staff will respond to the location. Once on site, the mobile crisis counselors will work with the person to deescalate the situation.  The counselors received training to learn different tools to assist with helping someone feel better, or to provide solutions. If the mobile crisis counselor believes the person needs a safe place to stay, they can make a referral to the Hillcrest Crisis House.  The Crisis House is a short term stay, which has two bedrooms where people can go to receive support and connections to resources to get them through their crisis.

Sara B., LMSW, Crisis House Manager

Next time you or someone you know is in a crisis, please call 1-855-800-1239.  Our goal is to make the person feel comfortable and to keep them in a setting they are familiar with. Calling the crisis line, does not mean you are weak, and you certainly aren’t alone, everyone needs support, and we are here day and night.

– Erica Borgerding, LMSW, Director of Mental Health Services and IHH