The Human Service Center of Forest, Oneida, and Vilas Counties has developed an emergency services program for its citizens. It is designed so that mental health services can be provided at any time of the day or night for those citizens that are in a crisis.
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The Crisis Intervention Link (operated on a contract basis by Community Mental Health) is a 24 hour a day, toll-free phone line available to the citizens of the tri-county area. Trained operators are dedicated to assisting people to cope with the crises that occur in their life. Some callers just need someone who will listen attentively to their troubles. Being able to discuss their situation with an empathic listener often helps one to deal with problems more effectively. Others may need that plus information on other agencies or groups that specifically assist those in their situation. Crisis Intervention Link operators are trained in providing the necessary information and referrals to help these callers. Some who call are suidical and are in need of the intensive services offered by the Emergency Services Program.
(Emergency Psychiatric Screeners)
Our mobile crisis team is available to provide Crisis Assessment and Crisis Counseling. The team consists of Masters level clinicians who are trained in suicide assessment and in providing immediate relief to people in crisis. They are on call 24 hours a day and 365 days per year in two separate regions to cover our vast tri-county area. The screeners go out with law enforcement to determine if involuntary hospitalization is necessary, or if a less intrusive intervention may be more appropriate. The mobile crisis team will respond to calls from other agencies who have somebody who might be a threat to themselves or someone else, or are in the midst of some other crisis. They can also be accessed by the Crisis Line workers when they need assistance in dealing with callers. The team also functions as gatekeepers for all 51.42 board consumers psychiatric hospital for treatment, as well as approving ongoing lengths of stay for inpatient hospitalizations that The Human Service Center is fiscally responsible for. The screeners clinical expertise and experience provide the assurance that crisis services are being executed effectively. The Mobile Crisis Team can be reached by accessing the Crisis Line at 1-888-299-1188.
The Crisis Respite Bed is available to all citizens in crisis who need a safe place to prevent them from doing harm to themselves or others. The beds are located at Community House in Rhinelander (520 S. Eastern Avenue). The bed provides an alternative to a locked, inpatient psychiatric facility. The bed is monitored 24 hours a day by trained staff. Client care is managed by a case manager from The Human Service Center and executed by all appropriate personnel. Consumers should be able to stay until they can retain their pre-morbid level of functioning. Lengths of stay usually last between one and three days. Access to the beds can be obtained by contacting the Crisis Line and getting in touch with the Mobile Crisis Team. 1-888-299-1188
Suicide is a major problem in the Northwoods. Suicide rates in our tri-county area run well above national and international levels. Our program sponsors suicide prevention trainings that specialize in assisting lay people in knowing what to do when somebody they know may be thinking about suicide.
The effects of trauma on people can be extremely detrimental. Victims of the following incidents could potentially become victims of post-traumatic stress syndrome, or experience other difficulties as a result of the trauma:
Major Accident
Loss of Employment
Fire
Flood
Bodily Injury
Crime Victims
Sudden Loss
Numerous studies have shown that immediate intervention after a trauma minimizes the negative psychological impact of the event on individuals.
Our team of crisis personnel can help provide immediate counseling when a trauma occurs. We can also provide or arrange for Critical Stress Debriefings when appropriate. Referrals to mental health clinicians who specialize in treating trauma victims can be set up as needed.
