KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City skyline is turning green, drawing attention to the 988 number people can call if they need mental health support services.
Since opening a little more than a year ago, Children’s Mercy has helped 200 to 300 teens at its new clinic, which treats depression and anxiety.
About 75 people have completed the program from start to finish, said Dr. Ram Chettiar of the clinic. The program includes a variety of services, including personal services and medication management services. It is also a 9-12 month program.
“We have limited resources, we have limited mental health professionals, so this is a really exciting possibility for some people in our community,” Chettiar said. “What we’re trying to do is help kids recover quickly so they can get on with their lives.”
In Johnson County, Kansas, Good Faith Network, an interfaith justice organization, is working with other community leaders to open the county’s first crisis stabilization unit.
“Right now, their options are to wait in the emergency room or jail, especially if law enforcement has to get involved. Having a mental health crisis is not a crime,” says the Good Faith Network. said Jennifer Savner Levinson, co-chair of the Mental Health Action Team.
“If you have a physical health problem, you call your doctor, but if you have a mental health problem, people usually don’t know where to turn,” Good Faith Network said Vicki Love.
988 is currently available by phone to anyone in need of help, but the unit will open by the end of this year and will have around 12 beds designated for people in mental health crises. It is scheduled to be done. The beginning of the problem, everyone agrees, will not go away and needs to be addressed immediately.
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You Matter: Find mental health resources and stories on FOX4.
If you want to hurt or kill yourself:
Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Please seek help immediately.
Children’s Mercy says the clinic is one of 14 mental health projects it will launch over the next five years as part of a comprehensive plan to address early intervention and expand inpatient care. That’s what it means.
If you’re a Johnson County resident, you can learn more about other solutions the Goodwill Network is implementing during disasters. An annual gathering called Nehemiah Action will be held next week.. It will be held at Resurrection Main Sanctuary in Leawood on Tuesday, May 7th from 6pm to 7pm.
