Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

Crisis Services

  

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress and/or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, call/text/chat 988

Access Line

For 24/7 access to substance use treatment, including detox and transportation, call the Access Line at 1-800-563-4086.

 

Navy square graphic with text "988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline"988 – The Suicide & Crisis LifelineGraphic of white square with text "988 linea de prevencion del suicidio y crisis"

  • The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) is a network of more than 200 state and local call centers funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and administered by Vibrant Emotional Health.
  • In Connecticut, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and Department of Children and Families (DCF) fund the Connecticut 988 Contact Center operated by the United Way of Connecticut/211.
  • 988 Contact Center services include rapid 24/7 access to trained crisis contact center staff who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use and other mental health crises, provide referrals to resources, and perform warm transfers to mobile crisis services or emergency services as needed/desired. Studies have shown that after speaking with a trained crisis counselor, most people served by the Lifeline are significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed and more hopeful.
  • July 16, 2022 is the 988 “soft launch” beginning the transition to 988 across the United States. This means that the number is active, but it is important to understand that the crisis service system infrastructure is still in development, and each state and territory is at different stages of readiness for 988. There is still much work to be done at the federal, state and local levels.
  • 988 will continue to grow and evolve over the years, just as 911 and the emergency medical service system has grown over the past five decades.
  • To reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, people can call or text 988 or chat at www.988lifeline.org.
  • For more information on 988 in CT and available crisis services, please visit: 988 – The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States - Prevent Suicide CT.

988 Key Messages and Points of Contact

ADULT MOBILE CRISIS SERVICES

Definition of a Crisis

A mental health and/or substance use/addiction crisis is defined by the individual. “…Self-definition of a crisis is a fundamental part of a recovery-oriented, trauma–informed approach” (Development Services Group to SAMHSA-State-Level Approaches to Building Crisis Response Systems, July 2015)

Mission Statement

To provide persons in distress (crisis) immediate access to a continuum of crisis response services and/or supports of their choice including, mobile clinical services and community supports; to promote the prevention of crises among persons and families; and to provide postvention activities that support persons in developing a meaningful sense of belonging in their communities.

Population

The DMHAS Mobile Crisis Service serves all adults in the State of Connecticut who are 18 years of age or older.

Mobile Crisis Teams

Mobile Crisis Team staff provide immediate assistance to people in distress by identifying options and resources that meet the unique needs expressed by the individual. The Mobile Crisis Teams are mostly located across the DMHAS Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) Network and DMHAS funds and operates MCT services throughout the state. MCT services are mobile, readily accessible, short term services for individuals and families experiencing acute mental health and/or substance use/addiction crises offered in a rapid response framework. MCT aim to promote the prevention of crises among persons and families and postvention activities that support persons in developing a meaningful sense of belonging in their communities. Mobile Crisis Teams are comprised of a multidisciplinary team which may include licensed master’s level social workers, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, peer support specialists, nurses, mental health workers and psychologists. 

Program Services

  • Outreach & Education
  • Assessment & Evaluation
  • Telephone support
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Critical Incident Debriefing
  • Information & Referrals
  • Follow-up services
  • Safety Planning
  • Consultation Services
  • Prevention and Postvention

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

CIT is a best practice designed to provide law enforcement with training on resources to connect persons in a mental health/substance use crisis to community supports and services. It is also a partnership between local police and the community mental health/substance use services network to jointly respond to crises in the community. The goal of CIT is to reduce the need for arrest in favor of referrals to appropriate treatment resources and supports, and, to promote safety for persons in crisis, the community and the police. Every mobile crisis team has CIT trained clinicians who work collaboratively with law enforcement, providing mental health evaluation and recommendations when responding to crisis calls. The CT Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement (CABLE) is the organization responsible for providing basic and advanced CIT training in the State of Connecticut to law enforcement officers and mental health professionals. CIT training emphasizes person-centered, recovery-oriented approaches and interventions and prepares participants to recognize and respond to various mental health and addiction crisis, including trauma; develop effective communication and connection skills; and, identify strategies for police officers to partner with mobile crisis team clinicians who can follow up on calls to ensure that an individual in distress is offered the supports and services of their choice.

Mobile Crisis Response Learning Collaborative

The Mobile Crisis Response Learning Collaborative was established in March 2020 and began with a full day kick-off event hosted at the Connecticut Women’s Consortium in Hamden, CT. Over 100 mobile crisis team directors, managers and staff were in attendance. The state-operated and private non-profit mobile crisis team providers continue to meet on the first Wednesday of each month. The MCRLC Planning Committee meets periodically to discuss topics of interest, identify presenters and develop meeting agendas. Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained officers and clinicians join the MCRLC quarterly to focus on conversations specific to law enforcement and crisis services. 

The Gloria House

Located in New Britain, The Gloria House is Connecticut's first Peer Respite program, offering a supportive and compassionate environment for individuals experiencing behavioral health and substance use challenges and empowering them through peer support and self-directed recovery. This unique peer respite provides a safe space for individuals to find connection and understanding from trained peers who have lived experience. 

See their website for more information. 

REST (Continuum of Care)

Located in New Haven, the Rapid Evaluation, Stabilization, and Treatment (REST) Center provides essential crisis stabilization services for adults experiencing behavioral health or co-occurring challenges. This center offers a safe, short-term environment where individuals can receive immediate care and support from trained professionals dedicated to helping them regain stability and well-being.

See their website for more information. 

Other Resources

DMHAS Office of the Commissioner Contacts
Erika Echevarria, LCSW, EBP Behavioral Health Clinical Manager,
860-418-6886, Erika.Echevarria@ct.gov

Dana Begin, OTR/L, MPA, Director of Evidence-Based Practices and Grants Division, 
860-418-6863, Dana.Begin@ct.gov