This year the State of Illinois invited all agencies across the state to redesign their crisis intervention programs to fit an “anytime, anywhere, and anyone” model.
This national best practice model of care allows Mental Health Professionals to see individuals in the community or at their homes at any time. Previously, ComWell’s crisis response team’s primary response location has been hospitals, schools, and police stations.
The goal of this new process is to alleviate the influx of visits to local hospitals and police stations by meeting people where they are at.
Crisis services and systems serve as a critical entry point for many people in the mental healthcare system. A comprehensive crisis response system has the potential to serve as a turning point of a behavioral health crisis for the better.
For individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis, first impressions are important.
Assistant Director of the Mobile Crisis Team, Amy Wunderlich, is leading the team in this development and participating in a state-wide learning collaborative to learn more about this new model.
“The mobile crisis team is moving forward at a fast pace,” said Wunderlich. “We are very excited about all of the positive changes. When individuals are experiencing a crisis situation it can be a very dark time in their life, making it difficult to go get help. With this new model, our hope is that help comes to you. ComWell clinicians are ready to meet you where you are at and be a light in what seems to be a dark place.”
A crisis response encounter may open the window of opportunity for break through by engaging individuals and planting a seed of hope.
Their mission is to support people and save lives during times of crisis through caring and confidential conversations. They do this by providing free and confidential crisis and suicide prevention services through gentle and understanding discussions of crisis resolutions, and referrals to appropriate community resources.
ComWell’s crisis team responds to persons reporting suicidal or homicidal ideations, defining a crisis as someone experiencing hopelessness, dangerous psychosis, delusions, thoughts of self-harm or thoughts of causing harm to others. ComWell’s crisis services are not intended to replace long-term counseling or individual therapy.
Daytime Number: (888) 310-6233
ComWell Daytime Crisis Line is available 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday.
Nighttime and Weekend Number: (888) 855-0034
ComWell Nighttime and Weekend Crisis Line is available at all other times.
About ComWell: We are committed to empowering individuals to pursue growth and wellness by promoting positive, healthy changes for individuals and communities through engagement, education, treatment and recovery. In 1971, we saw a need for support and we answered the call. ComWell services work together to achieve our goal of bringing wellness to our communities. ComWell is the beacon of community wellness and bridging the gap from individual to resource.