CRISIS ASSISTANCE

CRISIS LINE (800) 892-8900

https://centegracrisisservices.org/24-hour-crisis-line/

The Crisis Line serves as the first point of contact for callers in need of immediate assistance and is a crucial part of the mental health emergency services in McHenry County.

Problem Solving

Crisis line professionals are available to help people with intense personal, family and/or marital problems. These problems might include:

Depression
Major life changes
Anxiety
Mental illness
Thoughts of suicide

Calling the crisis line provides an opportunity for a person to talk about their problems and explore options. Targeted referrals are given, linking the caller to appropriate services. Often, just talking through a problem helps the caller. If the caller needs more than the services of the crisis line, the caller can be referred for a face-to-face assessment through our Crisis Onsite Program.

Call the Crisis Line 1-800-892-8900 (Local Access Only)

While each person experiences crisis differently, suicidal thoughts and feelings pose the highest risks to individuals in crisis. If you are having suicidal feelings, or if you are concerned that a friend is suicidal, listen carefully, stay with your friend, and get help immediately. Call 1-800-892-8900 if you are near McHenry County. Trained counselors will answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you are outside of McHenry county, call 911 or your local police immediately. National Hotlines are also available.

Remember, you cannot take responsibility for another person’s life. The decision is their own. You may, however, be able to help your friend see other ways of dealing with his or her problems and pain. The McHenry County Crisis Line is funded by McHenry County Mental Health Board

What Are The Signs of Suicide

If you or a friend are experience more than one of the following signs, some help is most likely necessary:

Serious Depression
Increasingly isolated
Giving away prized possessions
Sudden drop in school or work performance
Making statements about wanting to die
Acting in a violent fashion
Taking unnecessary risks
Threatening to commit suicide
Acting in a strange manner
Suddenly happy for no reason after a long depression
Abusing alcohol or other drugs

NEED HELP? TEXT A LICENSED CLINICIAN

To use Text-A-Tip, text MCHELP to 274637 and you will receive an immediate text response from a trained, licensed clinician.

Text-A-Tip is a texting service that enables middle and high school students in McHenry and Lake County to ask for help and connects them with licensed, trained mental health clinicians. The service allows teenagers to anonymously text a 24/7/365 hotline if they or their friends are struggling with depression, drug or alcohol abuse, difficult family situations or bullying.
The Text-A-Tip system routes text messages through a cloaking server to ensure texters are completely anonymous and their number cannot be traced. Users can, however, give personal information if they choose and the clinicians can contact school administration, social workers, local mental health providers or emergency responders if the student asks for more help or if they believe it is an emergency situation.
Text-A-Tip is supported by the McHenry County Community Foundation and was developed by the non-profit organization Linking Efforts Against Drugs (LEAD).

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE

800.273.8255

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

We can all help prevent suicide. The 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.