CRISIS CENTER INC

-WHO WE SERVE-

Our primary service area is Central Alabama, which is defined as the five county area surrounding Birmingham. This includes Blount County, Jefferson County, St. Clair County, Shelby County and Walker County.

In addition to the above counties, Rape Response also serves Chilton County.

Services are provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In addition to the programs that provide direct service to callers, clients and consumers, the Crisis Center has a strong prevention education program in place to help reduce bullying, suicide and sexual violence. Awareness and education is also available to reduce stigma related to mental illness, sexual assault and suicide.

To learn more about the Crisis Center or to become a volunteer, please visit our website at www.crisiscenterbham.org.

-WHAT WE DO-

CRISIS PREVENTION & INTERVENTION:

CRISIS & SUICIDE LINE/National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL)
205-323-7777 / 988
Crisis and Suicide Line and NSPL hotline are staffed 24 hours, 365 days a year to provide immediate crisis intervention for people experiencing a wide variety of problems. Crisis calls are typically related to depression, anxiety or relationship problems. Phone counselors are non-judgmental, active listeners who allow callers to express and process their thoughts and feelings in confidence.

UTalk
205-328-5465
Since 1985, the Crisis Center has provided crisis intervention for thousands of children. Through UTalk, youth who need help with problems, ranging from difficulty communicating with peers and/or family members to more serious issues such as physical and sexual abuse, suicide and gang involvement, are able to talk with a trained volunteer who can help them develop healthy coping skills and link them to appropriate resources. Many teens encounter issues involving dating, friendships, school and family, and may feel their problems are unique or even shameful. Teens may also feel isolated and lonely, compounding the stress of personal problems. UTalk is peer-staffed and text enabled to provide a safe, confidential outlet for youth to process difficult emotions and experiences.

In addition to the telephone counseling component of the program, UTalk staff also provide educational outreach to young people in schools and youth organizations throughout our service area on suicide prevention, bullying, cyber bullying, healthy coping skills, anger management, bystander intervention, and healthy relationships.

Available seven days a week from 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

SENIOR TALK LINE
205-328-8255
The Senior Talk Line was opened in 2001 to assist older adults and their caregivers in our community. As people age, they face significant losses including the deaths of family members and friends as well as the loss of physical abilities and independence. This can lead to extreme isolation, loneliness and depression. The Senior Talk Line aims to reduce isolation by giving seniors a place to voice their problems. The program also offers this service to caregivers of seniors. Caregivers are often in need of a source of support to help cope with the stresses related to caring for someone who is elderly. The Senior Talk Line is open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. seven days a week.

SEXUAL ASSAULT SUPPORT SERVICES:
205-323-7273

RAPE RESPONSE
The Rape Response program has been a part of the Crisis Center since 1975. This program was founded on the premise that an intervention made subsequent to the assault and accompanied by supportive follow-up counseling can be a powerful deterrent to the development of future emotional and psychological problems (e.g. sexual dysfunction, depression, suicide, phobias, etc.) Rape Response provides short-term individual counseling, support groups, medical advocacy, criminal justice advocacy, legal advocacy and a 24/7 crisis hotline. (205-323-7273)

SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER (S.A.N.E.)
The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (or S.A.N.E. facility) coordinates efforts of forensic medicine, victim’s advocacy and law enforcement by providing survivors with comprehensive care. Services are offered within a private setting rather than a crowded emergency room. All services are free of charge 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES:

REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE PROGRAMS
205-458-8988
In 2011, the Crisis Center began offering our Representative Payee program. A Representative Payee is appointed and regulated by the Social Security Administration to receive Social Security and/or SSI benefits for individuals who cannot manage or direct someone else to manage their money. The Crisis Center Representative Payee Program meets an essential need in the community for those seeking payee services.

SUPPORT GROUPS:

SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
As many survivors feel isolated and alone following an assault, we offer a support group twice monthly to give survivors a safe place to share experiences, process feelings, develop coping skills and connect with other survivors. This is a closed group, but is open to survivors at any stage of the healing process. If interested in this group, please call the Rape Response hotline at 205-323-7273.

BEREAVEMENT SERVICES - SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE (SOS)
The Crisis Center provides supportive counseling for survivors of suicide. These survivors are individuals who have lost someone close to them due to suicide. Supportive counseling designed to help these individuals work through their thoughts and feelings about the suicide is provided through a group format. A qualified individual leads the SOS group. Referrals to the group are made by ministers, therapists, physicians, etc. Group meetings are held twice monthly at the Crisis Center. If interested in this group, please call the Crisis and Suicide hotline at 205-323-7777.

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER ASSISTANCE:

RECOVERY RESOURCE CENTER
Navigating the substance abuse treatment system can be confusing and overwhelming. The Recovery Resource Center is a collaborative initiative dedicated to simplifying that process by providing a central point of information. The center’s staff and volunteers have the expertise to answer questions, initiate the treatment admission process, and make referrals as needed. All services are voluntary and are offered at no cost to the client.

Our services include:

Assessment: The Alabama Dept. of Mental Health Placement Assessment, based on the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria, is conducted by clinical staff, and identifies the appropriate level of care needed to begin the referral process.

Referral: Based on results from the assessment, community resources will be discussed to meet the individual’s treatment needs. This discussion takes into consideration various factors such as lack of insurance or the type of insurance, as well as specific characteristics including gender, veteran status, place of residence, and substance of choice.

Peer Support & Information: Through an in-house consultation, Certified Recovery Support Specialists share general information about addiction and recovery, as well as information specific to each treatment provider and/or type of treatment.

We accept walk-ins but calling ahead or making an appointment is encouraged. We suggest arriving before 2:30pm to ensure same day service.