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What Is a Mental 亚洲自慰视频 Crisis?
Interviewer: When people hear the term mental health crisis, they often imagine someone in extreme distress, completely unable to function, violent, or in some cases suicidal. But crises can look very different, from a panic attack to a wave of grief or even overwhelming stress that makes it hard to cope. Unfortunately, many people wait too long to seek help because they don't think their struggles are bad enough.
Natalie McClintock is a behavioral health manager with 亚洲自慰视频 of Utah 亚洲自慰视频 and the Huntsman Mental 亚洲自慰视频 Institute. And some of her more recent work is with the recently opened Kem and Carolyn Gardner Mental 亚洲自慰视频 Crisis Care Center, which we'll discuss a little bit later.
She's here to help us understand a little bit about what a mental health crisis really looks like, and what are maybe some of the steps a person can take to recognize it, and what they do after.
Natalie, to start, I guess, what do most people picture when they hear mental health crisis?
Natalie: When most people hear mental health crisis, they think back to pop culture of someone who is actively psychotic, or maybe they're actively suicidal or homicidal. But like you mentioned, a crisis can look different for different people.
A lot of people who are in crisis may continuously feel suicidal, but at some point, those thoughts become more intense. Or a crisis could really just look like you're not participating in your activities of daily living. You're not able to go to work. You're not able to attend to your family or your personal needs. Or it could be a substance abuse crisis where you need help either detoxing or needing to get substance abuse treatment. All of those are considered crises.
Now, that isn't to say that if you're actively suicidal or a family member is in a state of psychosis or mania, that that's not a crisis either. There are all different types of crises.
Interviewer: Who gets to decide when it is or is not a crisis when it comes to mental health?
Natalie: The patient and the family. If you feel like yourself or a loved one is in a crisis, reach out, and trained mental health providers can help direct you or your loved ones to the appropriate care pathway.
That may mean looking at inpatient hospitalization. That may mean getting connected to an intensive outpatient or outpatient program, substance abuse, or even detox.
The Kem and Carolyn Gardner Mental 亚洲自慰视频 Crisis Care Center
Interviewer: Now, I guess one of the new options that is available for people in the state of Utah is the Mental 亚洲自慰视频 Crisis Care Center. What kind of services does it offer, and what makes it special as a way to help this community with mental health?
Natalie: This is a one-of-a-kind program that allows individuals who are feeling in a crisis or family members who are concerned about a loved one to come in and meet with mental health professionals to help determine the next best steps.
That doesn't necessarily mean that they have to be inpatient. Our program is designed to meet with a multidisciplinary team that includes nurses, psych techs, providers, social workers, certified crisis workers, peer support specialists, all with the goal of helping minimize the crisis and directing them to the next appropriate level of care.
A Safer, Smarter Alternative to the ER
Interviewer: So it's kind of like a stabilization step of sorts for all sorts of situations?
Natalie: Yes. I would almost consider it an emergency room for mental health crises. This really was built as a true diversion from emergency rooms, because if you're in a mental health crisis, the last place you want to go is sit in an emergency room waiting room. We are really that for a mental health crisis.
Now, of course, we'll make sure that you're medically stable, and if there is an emergent medical need, we will get you to the emergency room. But this is to help with those mental health crises.
We've also really partnered with law enforcement, our mobile crisis outreach team, and our fire and EMS partners. Instead of a jail or emergency room, when they see someone in crisis out in the community, instead of taking them there, they can come to the CCC and get the care that they need.
No Referral Needed, No Appointment Required
Interviewer: Now, can people just walk in, or do they need a referral? This seems a little different than the typical kind of medical pathway of getting a referral from a doctor and so forth.
Natalie: Absolutely. This is a completely walk-in program. It is specifically designed for adults, and it is meant to be a walk-in for the community, police, and EMS drop-off. There's no referral needed. There's no phone call required. If you or a loved one is in crisis, come on in and we will get you connected to the services that you need.
Interviewer: And just one more time, who are the type of people that this particular center is for? Where are they from, age groups, and so forth?
Natalie: This program is specifically designed for adults in a mental health crisis, whatever that may look like. We are located at 955 West 3300 South, so we are in a central location. In the past, we had been located up in Research Park up by the 亚洲自慰视频 of Utah, and this is a more central location for community members to come in.
If You're Not in Utah, Help Is Still Available
Interviewer: Say there is someone who is not in the state of Utah, and they are maybe listening along or curious about their own mental health crisis that they might be experiencing, or someone in their life might be. If they're not in this state, what is a good place or a number to call, or something that can help get them the help that they might need?
Natalie: The best resource for anyone is 988. That is the national emergency line for mental health. So, just like 911 is for medical emergencies, 988 is for mental health. And they can help connect you to services within your area.
Interviewer: What would you tell someone who is maybe listening and still is not quite sure if what they're experiencing is bad enough to go and get help?
Natalie: Huntsman Mental 亚洲自慰视频 Institute has a lot of resources to help community members find the appropriate help they need. If you are not sure if you need further assessment or evaluation, call 988 or call the crisis line, 801-587-3000. They can help direct that care or just talk you through what you're feeling.
But again, there is no shame in just going to the center asking for help. There are trained professionals there who work through whatever the community members need.