In Crisis? Here’s help!
The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Many think 988 is only available if you or a loved one is contemplating suicide. However, 988 also offers 24/7 text and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress.
If you DO call from an 850 area code number, you will be transferred directly to 211 (more information below).
If you DO NOT call from an 850 area code number, you will be transferred to your area code’s mental health crisis services. If you would like to have access to any local resources in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties, be sure to immediately let the 988 operator know. More information at: https://988lifeline.org/.
2-1-1 Northwest Florida is a program of the United Way of West Florida and United Way of Northwest Florida with support from United Way Emerald Coast -- believing that information and referral is a core infrastructure that supports all the agencies that in turn support our citizens. They work to make service and resource searching easy - to help you, your neighbor or the social service professional. Our staff is also trained to stimulate the development of individual problem-solving concepts and educate the public on alternatives to the crisis response. For more information, visit their website at https://www.uwwf.org/211.
911 CIT Trained Officers (CIT) - If law enforcement assistance is necessary, you’ll need to call 911. It is imperative that you remain calm until professional help arrives, and ask for a CIT trained officer. The operator will then send specially trained law enforcement officers who are trained in dealing with individuals going through a mental health crisis.
How to request a CIT trained officer: “I am requesting the aid of a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officer.” If the operator is unsure about the availability of a CIT-trained officer, please ask to speak to a supervisor..
Lakeview Mobile Response Team - Meeting a person where they are, when they need us, is an effective approach – especially during a mental health crisis. Lakeview Center’s Mobile Response Team (MRT) provides 24/7 mental health support for adults and children. The team responds to homes, schools, work sites or other locations to assist with individuals, families, law enforcement, school officials, emergency rooms and other partners to provide mental health support during a traumatic event. **MRT is available to respond within 60 minutes via telephone triage or in-person. We can come to you!
If you or someone you know is in a crisis and would like to speak with a mental health provider by phone or in-person – coming to your location – please call 866-517-7766 for the Mobile Response Team. For more information, visit their website at https://elakeviewcenter.org/crisis-and-emergency-care/.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit their website at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline.