Mental Health, Emotional Support Resources In City Of Clearwater

CLEARWATER, FL — Mental health is so important, especially now. If you are feeling stressed, alone, or in need of emotional support, crisis- or emotional-support services and call lines are here to help.

CRISIS HOTLINES

The following crisis hotlines provide free, confidential support:

• 211 Tampa Bay Cares: Dial 211, Text your zip code to 898211 or visit 211tampabay.org.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call (800) 273-8255, or chat at suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat.
• Veterans Crisis Line: Call (800) 273-8255 and press 1 or visit veteranscrisisline.net.
• Directions for Living is hosting an Emotional Support Call Line: (727) 524-4464, ext 1001. Line is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
• SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline. Call (800) 985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
• Crisis Textline. Text TALK to 741741.

COUNSELING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

Directions for Living is offering no-cost, 30-minute virtual counseling sessions for first responders, including healthcare workers, EMS staff, law enforcement officers, firefighters and mental health personnel. To schedule an appointment, call (727) 385-3394.

PEMHS PINELLAS MOBILE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM (MCRT)

PEMHS’s Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) is providing crisis intervention services for Pinellas County residents of all ages: http://pemhs.org/mobile-crisis-response-team-mcrt/. Their mobile team is available 24/7 on demand and consists of licensed behavioral health therapists and psychiatrists who are available to assist via telehealth or in person while practicing social distancing. A team can be dispatched to the location of the crisis with a target response time of 60 minutes from the time of the call. Call (727) 362-4424 to reach the MCRT.

Services include:

• Evaluation and assessment
• Development of safety or crisis plans
• Providing or facilitating stabilization services
• Supportive crisis counseling
• Education: development of coping skills
• Linkage to appropriate resources
• Telehealth services for psychiatric care as available through partnering agencies
• Peer Support Services: involve a range of activities and interactions between people who share similar experiences of being diagnosed with behavioral health conditions.

This press release was produced by the City of Clearwater. The views expressed here are the author’s own.