“MCHELP” App Expands Resources at Your Fingertips

“Everyone needs help at times; MCHelp App is a quick click to help!” Through a partnership of four countywide agencies serving crisis and mental health concerns across the County, the MCHELP App has been expanded beyond just the texting option to now include immediate access to Centegra’s 1-800 Crisis Line, United Way’s 2-1-1 Referral Program, the A Way Out Addiction Amnesty Program , Q.P.R. Suicide Prevention information and Helping Resource Numbers.

Residents are encouraged to download the app from Google or iTunes for quick clicks to vital information and crisis support. McHenry County Community Foundation, who founded the APP in 2016, is the lead organization in partnership with United Way of Greater McHenry County, Centegra Health System’s McHenry County Crisis Line, and the McHenry County Mental Health Board.

“Collaborating with these partners into a single platform for immediate access to crisis and critical services is a great benefit to the entire community,” said Robin Doeden, executive director of McHenry County Community Foundation. “More people will have easier access to critical information right at their fingertips, 24/7. Searching for information, and making numerous phone calls to get an answer don’t have to be the norm anymore – just open the app and it’s all right there.”

MCHELP was developed as an anonymous text or voice app that allows individuals to confidentially text their concerns -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -- to trained, licensed mental health counselors. Now, through this expansion, the same App offers you the option to access this help via text or a phone call for topics including:

-social and family pressures

-bullying

-substance use

-suicide thoughts

-depression

-need to talk

Anonymous texts are received by trained, licensed counselors who can immediately respond with support. Voice calls to the crisis line are handled by Centegra Health System’s McHenry County Crisis Line.

In addition to immediate access to counselors via texting or calling, the App offers immediate access to other critical services, as well: United Way of McHenry County offers the 2-1-1 referral line which gives residents a live person to speak with, and access to hundreds of nonprofit services and resources for housing, employment, health and wellness. McHenry County Mental Health Board links MCHelp app users to a listing of county providers of behavioral health services and supports. In addition, A Way Out is a program that offers a law enforcement pathway to substance abuse treatment and Q. P. R. – Question. Persuade. Refer – is a proven training program for suicide prevention.

A marketing campaign will be launched with radio, billboard and social media throughout the county. Updated print materials are being distributed to schools, local law enforcement agencies and mental health providers across the county.

“We encourage everyone to download this app to your phone,” added Doeden. “Even you never need it, you might be able to offer help to a friend or family member. It is a useful tool to have at your fingertips.”

The McHenry County Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter since 2001. Led by Executive Director Robin Doeden, the organization awarded more than $1.2 million to people and organizations across McHenry County.

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To download the new MCHELP app, see links below:

Apple App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/MCHelp/id1146075267?mt=8

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodbarber.MCHelp&hl=en