Crisis Centers: On the Front Line in Suicide Prevention
by Amelia Lehto, Crisis Centers Division Chair, American Association of Suicidology
(Editor's Note: This article is part of our Suicide Prevention Month 2018 series with the American Association of Suicidology.)
Crisis centers are a staple in their communities for the people they serve and the lives they influence one call, chat, or text at a time. Crisis centers often find themselves at the intersection of mental health and substance abuse, alongside those in the field of social work. Crisis centers across the country provide a wide range of diverse services, from large scale, for-profit behavioral health centers responding to multiple demographics, to smaller scale nonprofits providing life-saving services to their direct communities.
Ten years ago, I began my journey within the crisis centers world as a young volunteer at a mixed model center working alongside staff, interns, and fellow volunteers. It has been one of the most definitive life-changing experiences I’ve ever had, next to the birth of my two children and the time I met Matt Smith, aka the Eleventh Doctor.
Full disclosure: I lost my best friend, Maureen, to suicide when I was 13 years old, and that traumatic loss changed the trajectory of my young life. With the support of my mother, we sought treatment with a mental health professional, which led to a short-term psychiatric stay. I saw a psychiatrist only briefly and enough to satisfy the immediacy of my mental health concerns. The majority of my time was spent in group work and individual work with my social worker, a young man who was just a few years into his chosen field. That young man helped teach me self-worth, how to cope with the greatest of pains, and that a welcomed compliment is meant to be accepted.
Many of us who find ourselves working at crisis centers share an optimistic attitude and deep empathy for our fellow human kind. The range of experience varies greatly, from those who are licensed clinicians to peer supports to the engineer next door who wants to give back in his community and everything in between. People who come through our front doors are your friends, family, and people you serve. The connections we make in our communities are lifesaving ones. When we are unavailable, who do we turn to?
Crisis centers are our frontline defense in suicide prevention, available 24/7 through phones, chat, and text, as well as walk-in services. As noted, crisis centers vary in scale, from large behavioral health centers with multiple services provided to small scale with a crisis line and a food pantry. There is great benefit in familiarizing yourself with your local center to learn about their specific services and general approach to crisis intervention. The clients you work with may be unaware of these often free 24/7 local and national services, which can even be built into client care and suicide safety plans.
Unfortunately, local crisis centers are not available in every area. This is where the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Veterans Crisis Line, Trans Lifeline, The Trevor Project, and Crisis Text Line attempt to fill in the gaps. Crisis happens in an instant, and while others may have an inkling, many of us are caught off guard and the wind is knocked out of us. Yet, there is opportunity in crisis, and when working with people in our care, we can introduce these services early on in their care.
The American Association of Suicidology is the country’s oldest and a highly respected accrediting body for crisis centers. To find the local AAS-accredited center nearest to you, visit: Accredited Crisis Centers. Contact the center's administration, ask for a tour if available, or ask for the best contact to learn more about their crisis intervention services.
Amelia Lehto is the Crisis Centers Division Chair for the American Association of Suicidology and Vice President for Six Feet Over in Michigan. She works full time for Common Ground, an agency that helps people move from crisis to hope through a variety of programs and services in Oakland County, Michigan.