BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE AUTAUGA NEWS
Recently we asked readers of the Elmore Autauga News about their experiences in trying to obtain help for mental health services.
To be honest, the responses were heart breaking. But there is a fast and simple way to begin the quest for services for yourself or someone you love.
Recently the Elmore County Commission formed a Mental Health Committee, to study how to help more people get services they desperately need.
The Commission has released information concerning the ability to call 988, which is the national three-digit number for all mental health, substance use and suicide crises.
From the Commission: “The Elmore County Commission is dedicated to raising awareness on the importance of mental health. When life gets tough, there is hope! If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Trained staff is available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to assist. We don’t have to walk through life alone, help is here.”
If you would like additional information on 988 or other available resources, visit the Alabama Department of Mental Health website at https://mh.alabama.gov/988-2/
988 is more than just an easy-to-remember number—it’s a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress – whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
988 calls are routed to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline centers in each state. 988 offers rapid access to behavioral health support through connection with trained crisis specialists.
988 provides Alabama with the unique opportunity to fully integrate and intentionally align the state’s crisis system design and service delivery – linking individuals directly to critical services: someone to call, someone to respond, and somewhere to go.
Someone to call: 988
Someone to respond: Mobile Crisis Services
Somewhere to go: Crisis Centers including temporary and extended observation AltaPointe Behavioral Health Crisis Center, WellStone Emergency Services, Carastar Health Crisis Center, and Jefferson, Blount, St. Clair Mental Health Authority Craig Crisis Center; with future centers at Indian Rivers Behavioral Health, and SpectraCare Health System.
988 is interwoven into the Alabama Crisis System of Care, as the first step and response in a crisis.
988 offers an opportunity to decouple policing from a mental health or substance use crisis. 988 is a vital resource for people experiencing a mental health emergency.
988 is a robust crisis system that can de-escalate mental health crises and connect individuals to the most appropriate care. With 988 as the first component of our system, we hope to see:
A change in the community response to behavioral health crises
A decrease in suicides and other poor mental health outcomes
A reduction in health care spending and use of law enforcement with more cost-effective early intervention
When should you call 988?
Anyone in need of crisis support for themselves or someone else should call 988. Veterans can push 1 for direct access to specific assistance.
In Alabama, calls are answered by centers right here in the state. The call centers are located at AltaPointe Health in Mobile; Carastar Health in Montgomery, in Birmingham at The Crisis Center Birmingham; and in Huntsville at WellStone.
SpectraCare Health in Dothan will soon come online as a call center.
This chart from the National Alliance on Mental Illness demonstrates problems that exist and how 988 offers solutions that coordinate with crisis care programs and services.
How does it work?
When someone calls, chats, or texts 988, they are connected to a crisis specialist who is trained and prepared to deliver support to anyone experiencing a crisis. Because a crisis is defined by the person or family experiencing it, the crisis specialist addresses the person’s unique concerns and needs.
The conversation may include assessment, stabilization, referral, and follow-up for individuals at high risk for suicide and/or poor mental health outcomes. If a higher level of care is needed, the crisis specialist works with the caller to connect them to a mobile crisis response team to respond to the person in the community, inform them of the nearest Crisis Center or relay the call to emergency responders, if needed.
Alabama’s 988 Commission
The purpose of the 988 Comprehensive Behavioral Health Crisis Communication System Commission (typically called the 988 commission), created by Act 2021-359, is to study and provide recommendations for the implementation of the 988 system to enhance and expand behavioral health crisis response and suicide prevention services, as required by Public Law No: 116-172. Read the 988 Commission Report.
While 988 is available nationally, each state will continue to work to ensure crisis services are adequately funded and available to its citizens. Alabama’s 988 Commission is continuing to develop a long-term 988 plan for the sustainment of 988.
