1. Provide both an objective (from a source e.g. dictionary, textbook) and subjective definition (in your own words) for the following terms: "crisis" and "precipitating event." (minimum 50 words each, excluding the objective definitions)

Crisis:

  1.  
    1. the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever
    2. a paroxysmal attack of pain, distress, or disordered function
    3. an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person's life <a midlife crisis>
  2.  
    1. the decisive moment (as in a literary plot)
  3.  
    1. an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending; especially :  one with the distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome <a financial crisis>
    2. a situation that has reached a critical phase <the environmental crisis>

(Merriam Webster)

For the purpose of this course, I believe definition 3a is most apt. I see a crisis being a major turning point in one's life. As part of this, the person who is undergoing the crisis believes that it is something that will change their life, usually for the worse. There are obviously different degrees of crisis, where minor ones are things the person may see as an annoyance, and major ones that force major life changes, such as bankruptcy.

Precipitating Event:

The circumstances that unbalanced the person and gave rise to the symptoms now displayed. (Kennedy,388)

The precipitating event is whatever has caused the person to feel like they are dealing with a crisis. This is often thought of as the last straw, or the straw that broke the camels back. Often things are building up over time, and when the person can no longer contain the pressure that is building up, whatever that last event that caused more pressure is the precipitating event. This may not be the true root cause of the crisis, but it is the last thing that happened to contribute to the crisis.

  1. Describe the following classifications of emergency situations and provide an example of each. Please utilize the required text pages 386-400 for your resource (minimum 50 words each).

    1. interpersonal

    2. intrapersonal

    3. somatic complaints

interpersonal:

Interpersonal situations are where there is a significant player outside the self. (Kennedy,392) Relationships provide a common example of this. When a couple has an argument, or when they go through a break up that is not mutual, this is an interpersonal situation. These situations can cause a major crisis in some people, depending on how much they have invested in the relationship and how unexpected the break up is. The key is that the cause of the situation is an outside source, not internal.

 

intrapersonal:
Intrapersonal situations are where individuals are moved by their own internal depression, anxiety, and confusion. (Kennedy,392) These situations are wholly within the person. Depression is a good example of this. The person may feel that nobody cares, and they are worthless. This is all within the person, and often there are plenty of people who care about them that are trying to help, but they are blind to this.

 

somatic complaints:

Somatic complaints are complex physical symptoms perceived by a person as the cause of the situation. (Kennedy,392) Phantom pains would be a good example for this. If someone is in pain, and there is no medical cause that can be found for the pain, this would be a somatic complaint. While the pain may be real to the person, there is no physical cause just psychological causes. This can lead to people feeling like nobody believes them, and eventually push them into, or deeper into an intrapersonal situation.

 

  1. Describe at least five possible events or situations that may cause an individual to experience a crisis in his or her life. (minimum 100 words)

    1. Death of a loved one, be they immediate family, or a close friend can cause a crisis. Events like this will cause a large amount of emotions to rise up to the forefront and make you face the fact that at some time in the future, you will also die. In the days, weeks, months, years ahead, it is not uncommon to feel the absence of the person as you expected them to be somewhere that they always were.

    2. Loss of employment is another example of a situation that can cause a crisis, especially if not expected. All of a sudden you find yourself with no income, insurance, and the bills keep coming. Your daily routine also completely changes, and you are no longer seeing your friends, aka co-workers, any more.

    3. Major medical ailments can cause a crisis. Getting the unexpected diagnosis of a major disease such as cancer, loss of mobility (e.g. broken bone, amputation), or a diagnosis of a terminal disease all will cause a big disruption in your life, and potentially make you face your mortality.

    4. Major loss of possessions, such as the loss of residence or loss of vehicle. These again will cause a major disruption to one's life. All of a sudden you need to find a new place to stay, new car to drive, etc. These are all major expenses and a pain in the butt to deal with, and usually need to be dealt with in a short time frame. To complicate it more, it's also possible that irreplaceable mementos can also be lost if it was something like a house fire.

    5. Residence being broke into. Here you likely lost some possessions, possibly irreplaceable mementos. More importantly though is the loss of the feeling of security that one has in their house.

      Overall, all these situations boil down to major changes in ones life or world view. Any kind of major change that is not in one's control can cause a crisis.

  2. Discuss how an individual's ability to appropriately cope and/or problem solve may be affected by crisis and explain the process you would use to assist this individual. (100 words).

A person in crisis is potentially in a positive feedback loop where everything they do to return themselves to equilibrium only serves to feed the crisis. This leads to a lack of balance, and a worsening of the crisis. (Kennedy 389) The role of the counselor or helper is to stop this feedback loop, and start to bring balance back into their lives. To do this, one must know themselves and give an air of stability and knowing that will help decrease the intensity of the crisis. (Kennedy 387)

 

That all means that I, the person helping, first and foremost needs to know myself and what my limits are and stay within those limits. If a person is in a crisis that is one of my personal triggers, I should not help as it will only exasperate the situation, but send them off to someone else that may be able to help. My experience has shown me that being calm, collected, and basically being a person for them to vent to and sound ideas out on, with me keeping my calm and not really interjecting much, has done wonders for assisting a person in crisis even if it feels like I am actually doing nothing.

 

  1. List and discuss at least five suicide warning signs. Explain how you would respond if you were assisting an individual exhibiting one or more of these signs. (minimum 50 words each warning sign and minimum 100 words for response).

There are many warning signs for those that are suicidal. Some of the more common signs are:

 

  • Always talking or thinking about death

  • Clinical depression -- deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating -- that gets worse

  • Having a "death wish," tempting fate by taking risks that could lead to death, such as driving fast or running red lights

  • Losing interest in things one used to care about

  • Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless

  • Putting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, changing a will

  • Saying things like "it would be better if I wasn't here" or "I want out"

  • Sudden, unexpected switch from being very sad to being very calm or appearing to be happy

  • Talking about suicide or killing one's self

  • Visiting or calling people to say goodbye

(Web MD)

a) Untreated clinical depression is the number one cause of of suicide. (Caruso) Depressions is often expressed as a deep sadness, loss of interest in things that one had interest in, changes in sleep patterns, changes in eating habits. Some or all of these can be signs of depression and often these are difficult for anyone that is not close to the person to notice.

If someone is showing signs of depression, I would advise them to go talk to their doctor and/or a therapist. Getting professional help is the only way that one can reliably get themselves to a point where they can live with their depression. This may require them to go to a therapist. It may also require them to take medications. If I knew the person was on medication, I would also try to find some way to ask them if they are taking their medication, and if they have talked with their doctors recently with regards to dosing. Dosing does change throughout one's life, and if there has been a recent change in medication (type and/or dosage), that may be the cause.

b) Having a death wish, or starting to take excessive and new risks is another warning sign. This will again be something that friends will be able to see. Sometimes, some of the things that are done are so obviously high risk that most people would question the mental state of the person taking the risk.

It's one thing to take on new risks because one desires adventure, such as sky diving or rock climbing. It's another to take on the new risks without the guidance of an expert in that area. The latter is the type of behavior is what is concerning. The first thing I would do with someone that is taking on these excessive new risks is to try to get them to stop doing whatever the risky activity is. I would probably try to talk to them and find out their motivation for doing the activity, and try to understand where they are mentally and then try to get them to seek out professional help.

c) Being obsessed with death and talking about things being better if they were not alive. The person will turn conversations over to death, talk about death in a positive light, and basically sound like they are trying to convince you that death is a good thing. This is probably the most obvious sign that anyone can give, and one that everyone should be able to pick up on.

This is a situation where I would talk with them and let them vent and process their feelings on me. It's one thing to be talking about death in an academic sense, but it is another to glorify it or to talk about killing yourself or ways of killing yourself. While I would be letting them talk things out, I would also be asking them leading questions and planting ideas that they should be talking to a professional. I would also be making sure that they understand that there are plenty of friends that want to help them and that they have a support system available to them. Ultimately though, I'd be trying to get them to seek professional help.

d) Setting affairs in order can also be a warning sign of suicide. Examples of this would be creating or updating a will, finding people to take care of pets in your absence, and saying good bye to others as if you are never going to see them again. If one is doing all these things unprovoked by some major life change, such as long distance/long term travel or relationship changes, it could very well be a warning sign.

This is another sign that would be difficult for those that are not close to the person to notice. Not many people would know that a will was updated, or that one was looking for others to take care of their pets. Once it was recognized though, I would first make sure that this wasn't a result of some major life change like a marriage, divorce, long term travel, or similar. Once I was sure that there was no major life change and this was a warning sign, this would again be a situation where I would be talking with the person and trying to convince them to go seek professional help.

e) Change in mood, specifically a sharp and sudden change from sad to calm or happy. These changes in mood can be a sign that a person has gotten to the point that they have mentally gotten to the point where they are now resolved to killing themselves, and are at peace with that decision. This is another sign that is relatively easy for those casually acquainted with someone could easily notice.

Once more, I would talk with the person to figure out where they are and what has caused the sudden mood swing. This sudden change in mood could be due to changes in medication, and in that case may not be such a concern. They could also be a result of some kind of mental illness, such as bipolar disorder which could be a sign that they are off of their medication. In any event though, I would again be leading the discussion to try to get them to go seek professional help because of this sudden and unexpected change in mood.

Ultimately, in all the above cases, I would do what I could to try to convince them to seek professional help on their own. I the event that I felt they were an immediate threat to themselves or others, I would do everything I could to get them to the help they need, even if that meant calling 911 and getting the police and EMS involved.

  1. Choose four of the seven common misconceptions about suicide from the list below and discuss why each is a misconception. (minimum 50 words each)

    1. People who talk about suicide won't really do it.

The fact is that many people that talk about taking their own life do eventually attempt to take it, and some do succeed. It is not uncommon for people to either consciously or unconsciously reach out for help before they attempt suicide. Talking about it is just one of many cries for help. Anyone that talks about taking their own life should be taken seriously, and be given the help that they need. (Suicide Myths)

 

  1. Anyone who tries to kill himself/herself must be crazy.

While it can be tempting for people to think that someone that tries to kill themselves are crazy, that is not true. Suicide attempts can be triggered by many things, including mental instability. The people are often in pain, be it physical or mental, and suicide is to them a logical escape from the pain. (Suicide Myths)

 

  1. People who commit suicide always leave notes.

  2. If a person is determined to kill himself/herself, nothing is going to stop him/her.

  3. Once the emotional crisis improves, the risk of suicide is over.

Often times, once the emotional crisis is over, the likelihood of suicide decreases. That does not mean that there is no risk. Even with the proper help, it is possible that the suicidal thoughts can resurface at a future point in time. This is why help from a mental health professional is so important for anyone that has had suicidal thoughts and tenancies. (Suicide Myths)

 

  1. Talking about suicide may give someone the idea.

Just talking about suicide will not give a person the idea of killing themselves. If they never considered it before, it is unlikely that talking about it will make them consider it now. Conversely, if they have considered it and open up to you about that, you can then help work with them to get the help they need. (Suicide Myths)

 

  1. After a person has attempted suicide, it is unlikely he/she will try again.

 

  1. Discuss why an individual in crisis might seek an ADF clergy person for help and explain whether or not you feel this is an appropriate function for ADF clergy, why or why not? (minimum 200 words)

There could be a number of reasons why someone may seek out an ADF priest for help with a crisis. The obvious one would be if they were going through some kind of crisis of faith. That would be an obvious person to go to. Other reasons though could be as simple as they just happen to be there at the right moment, they are a trusted friend, or they are the closest person of authority that the person respects. In the end though, as a priest, it will be very likely that someone at some time will come to you when they are in crisis. There is no avoiding this, and this goes for anyone in any kind of leadership role in any organization.

 

I am personally torn as to whether or not the priests, or any other leaders to be honest, should be people that deal with crisis situations. Just because someone is in a position that people will come to in crisis does not mean that they have the skills or even the personal emotional stability that are needed to handle a crisis. I do feel that the individuals need to know themselves well enough and how they handle a crisis situation. We need to give at least the basic tools, which this course just briefly touches on and should not be considered good enough, to all the leaders throughout ADF. Ultimately, the last question of this course is the most valuable part of this course as when one is dealing with a crisis, knowing where to get help can make the biggest difference.

 

So, no, I do not feel that the clergy, or leadership in general, should have crisis intervention as part of their job. We have no choice though as people will come to them for help, trained or not. The best we can do is make ourselves aware of what resources are available and know how we tend to react and work with that.

 

  1. Discuss an example of a crisis situation to which you have responded (this may be a crisis you have personally experienced or an experience in which you tried to help someone else in crisis). Reflect upon your response to the crisis in your example, and explain what you found effective, as well as how you could have improved your response to this situation. (minimum 200 words)

I have dealt with crises of all kinds over the years, many due to my employment as a volunteer EMT, but also a few with friends or because of my leadership roles in various organizations. I do not want to be naming specifics so that the crisis I am talking about can be identified, so please pardon the vagueness of some of the details. Keeping confidentiality, while it may not be required by law, is something I do try to do.

 

The crisis was a common one, where someone and their partner broke up after a long term relationship. In this particular case, it came as a surprise to them. Everything had been normal in the weeks and months leading up to it, they didn't have any inkling that it was going to happen. What caused the break up though was their partner was cheating on them, fell out of love with them and into love with someone else. While this in itself is bad enough, they also found out that some of their friend knew about this and said nothing. All of this left the individual not knowing who to trust or believe, and turned their world upside down.

 

When they came to me with this, we had a long talk. I started off with letting them vent their feelings and used that as a point of information gathering so I could figure out what happened. Active listening is my preferred method of handling these kinds of situations. This involved me asking leading questions to help them process what happened, and mostly listening to what they have to say. I have found that most people in this kind of crisis really want to just vent and have someone on their side.

 

I don't feel that I can ethically tell them what to do, but I will ask them questions that will lead them down the path of my thinking on the situation, and hope that they come to some kind of good conclusion. That is what I did in this case, and got them to eventually feel that they were not at fault, and that life will go on. Eventually they would get back into the dating game, but to take time for themselves right now and get themselves familiar with their new situation. Most of all, convinced them that when they did get back to dating that they don't just fall in love with the first person they dated.

 

  1. Discuss how the skills required of ADF clergy in ritual, especially those which involve mitigating chaos and generating order, might relate to those necessary for appropriately responding to an emergency situation (minimum 100 words).

In the grand scheme of things, the person that responds to a crisis is the central figure that mitigates chaos and brings about order. Apart from that comparison though, I do not feel that ritual skills by themselves which are mostly either theater or magical based, provide much help with handling a crisis. The one ritual practice that we all do though that is helpful in any direct way is the idea of grounding and centering. This is an internal mitigation of chaos that can be used to calm ourselves down. Keeping ourselves in equilibrium so we don't also go into crisis and feed into the other persons' is one of the most important things we can do.

 

  1. Compile and submit a list of mainstream resources providing crisis services available in your locality. Additionally, explore your locality for a hotline number to access emergency services and discuss the results of your search. (Please provide the following information for each resource listed a) name of resource b) contact information c) how to make a referral d) hours of operation e) specific service[s] provided by the resource). (no minimum word count)

In all cases, when in doubt, calling 911 and getting the police involved is never a bad option. In NY, one has to be aware thought that calling 911 from a cell phone gets you a state police dispatcher while calling from a land line will get you your local dispatcher. The city of Albany's non-emergency phone number is 518-438-4000

 

  1. suicidal thoughts

The biggest resource for suicide prevention is the national suicide hotline:

1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-SUICIDE

Veterans, press 1.

Spanish press 2

TTY version is 1-800-799-4TTY

LGBT Youth

1-866-4-U-TREVOR

https://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ (contains a chat function)

 

Capital District Psychiatric Center

24 hours / 7 days

Crisis Unit / Hotline

(518) 447-9650

 

The Samaritans - Suicide Prevention Center

Suicide / Crisis / Befriending Line

24 hours / 7 days

(518) 689-HOPE (4673)

 

  1. mental illness

  2. substance abuse (addiction)

  3. financial issues

  4. homelessness (lack of shelter, food, clothing, other basic needs)

  5. suspected abuse of the individual's child(ren)

  6. criminal victimization (victims of theft, sexual assault, domestic violence)

  7. grief (resulting from death, terminal illness, divorce or other loss)

For ii – viii, the Albany County office of mental health has already created resource sheets for all the services within Albany County. I have included them below.

Albany County

MENTAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

FOR CHILDREN

ALBANY COUNTY DEPARTMENT FOR

CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIES (DCYF)

Children’s Mental Health Clinic ............................................................................................... (518) 447-4550

Children with Special Needs ................................................................................................... (518) 447-4820

Child Protection Services, Foster Care, Adoption Services .................................................... (518) 447-7500

*NYS State Central Registry for Child Abuse and Maltreatment ........................................ 1-800-342-3720

Healthy Families in Albany County ......................................................................................... (518) 447-7054

Prevention Services ................................................................................................................ (518) 447-7500

Single Point of Access (SPOA)/Case Management Programs and Residential ..................... (518) 447-4550

CRISIS STABLIZATION - Situational

Parsons Child and Family Center (Healy House) .................................................................. (518) 426-2600

(go through therapist)

CRISIS HOTLINE

United Way 2-1-1 Northeastern Region

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline .......................................................................... 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Contact Lifeline (9am-10pm M-F and 1pm-10pm weekends) ................................................. (518) 689-4673

Crisis Chat Line (12noon- 6pm M-F .................................................................................. www.crisischat.org

CRISIS SERVICES

Albany County – DCYF – Assessment, Triage, Referral, Treatment ..................................... (518) 447- 4550

Albany County Mental Health Center – Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) ........................................ (518) 447-9650

Ellis Hospital Emergency Room (24 hr. crisis assessment / access to

Child and Adolescent Mobile Crisis Team) .......................................................................... (518) 243-4000

Capital District Psychiatric Center (CDPC – Crisis Unit) ......................................................... (518) 447-9650

Capital Region Child and Adolescent Mobil Crisis Team .................................................... (518) 447-9650 or

Monday – Friday 11:00 – 9:30 – Intervention, Stabilization, Consult ................................... (518) 447-4550

SUPPORT FAMILY

Families United Network (FUN) .............................................................................................. (518) 426-2619

Village of Colonie Outreach Center ......................................................................................... (518) 218-1030

SURVIVOR SUPPORT

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

(www.afsp.org. or www.afsp.org/capitalregionny) ............................................................... (518) 899-0021

Wave Riders ........................................................................................................................... (518) 724-0200

Byron Center for Loss and Healing ......................................................................................... (518) 453-2515

HOUSING

Equinox Youth Shelter ............................................................................................................ (518) 465-9524

Homeless & Traveler’s Aid Society ......................................................................................... (518) 463-2124

Rehabilitation Support Services (Apartments – Aging Out Adolescents) ................................ (518) 462-1094

(referral required)OUTPATIENT CLINICAL SERVICES

Capital District Psychiatric Center Clinic ................................................................................. (518) 447-9647

Capital District Behavioral Health ............................................................................................ (518) 785-7283

Counseling Care & Services (Psychotherapy, Play Therapy) ................................................. (518) 237-4263

Ellis O/P Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department .......................................................... (518) 382-2290

Family and Children’s Services ............................................................................................... (518) 462-6531

Karner Psychological Associates ............................................................................................ (518) 456-5056

Northeast Region 2-1-1 (Food, housing, childcare, employment, health care, crisis etc.) ......................... 211

Parsons Child & Family Center Clinic (includes clinic plus 3-5 yr. olds ................................... (518) 431-1650

Pinnacle Place Behavioral Health ........................................................................................... (518) 689-0244

SUNY Psychological Services Center ..................................................................................... (518) 442-4900

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Center for Disability Services ..................................................................................................

Capital District Developmental Disability Service Office (OPWDD) ........................................

Preschool Early Development & Screening Committee of Albany, Inc. (PEDS) .................

Trinity Institution Early Intervention .........................................................................................

(518) 437-5700

(518) 486-1313

(518) 218-7337

(518) 449-5155

RECREATION

Arbor Hill Community Center .................................................................................................. (518) 436-1516

Parson’s Child Family Center – After School (referral required) ............................................. (518) 426-2600

Trinity Institution/Homer Perkins Center ................................................................................. (518) 449-5155

RESPITE

Community Maternity Services (referral required) .................................................................. (518) 482-8836

Albany County Department for Children, Youth and Families – Children’s Mental Health ...... (518) 447-4550

Parsons Child and Family Center (referral required) .............................................................. (518) 431-1663

RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM

Parsons Child and Family Center ........................................................................................... (518) 426-2600

(must go through SPOA)

TRANSPORTATION – PARENTS VISITS TO HOSPITALS

Homeless and Travelers Aid Society (Vouchers) .................................................................... (518) 463-2124

or ACDCYF Children’s Mental Health Clinic ........................................................................ (518) 447-4550

VOCATIONAL

Northeast Career Planning (School to Work) .......................................................................... (518) 438-3445

Parsons Child and Family Center - After School ..................................................................... (518) 426-2600

St. Anne’s Institute after School (referral required) ................................................................. (518) 437-6500

(Mental Health Services for Children)

Albany County

MENTAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

FOR ADULTS

ALCOHOLISM/SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVCES

Albany County Substance Abuse Clinic .................................................................................. (518) 447-4551

Addiction Care Center of Albany (ACCA) ............................................................................... (518) 434-2367

Al-Anon ................................................................................................................................... (518) 292-0577

Alcoholics Anonymous ............................................................................................................ (518) 463-0906

Equinox, Inc. Chemical Dependency ...................................................................................... (518) 434-6135

Narcotics Anonymous ............................................................................................................. (518) 448-6350

NYS Addictions Help Line (Gambling/Alcohol/Substance Abuse) ......................................... 1-800-522-5353

OASAS Northeast Region Field Office (Program Managers) .................................................. (518) 485-1660

OASAS Information/Publications ............................................................................................ (518) 485-1768

St. Peter’s Addiction Recovery Center (SPARC) – Detoxification Unit ................................... (518) 525-1303

(Referral from St. Peter’s Emergency Department)

Treatment Alternatives for a Safer Community (TASC) .......................................................... (518) 465-1455

CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Albany County Department of Mental Health ..........................................................................

Albany County Intensive Case Management (ICM) ................................................................

Albany County Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) ..........................................................

Equinox, Inc. Mental Health Services .....................................................................................

Homeless & Travelers Aid Society .......................................................................................... (518) 447-4555

(518) 447-4569

(518) 447-4668

(518) 435-9931

(518) 463-2124

CRISIS SERVICES

Albany County Jail – Mental Health Unit .................................................................................

MOBILE ..................................................................................................................................

Capital District Psychiatric Services (CDPC) Crisis Intervention .............................................

Family and Children Services (Anger Management) ..............................................................

Samaritan Contact Lifeline ...................................................................................................... (518) 869-2683

(518) 447-9650

(518) 447-9650

(518) 462-6531

(518) 689-4673

EDUCATION

Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCESS-VR) ............. 1-800-272-5448 or (518) 473-8097

Capital District Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) ........................................................... (518) 482-3571

Community Maternity Services (CMS) adoption / foster care ................................................. (518) 482-8836

Capital District Center for Independence (C.D.C.I.) ................................................................ (518) 459-6422

NYS Department of Labor – Albany One-Stop Career Centers .............................................. (518) 457-9000

NYS Smoker’s Quit line ........................................................................................................ 1- 866-697-8487

EMERGENCY SHELTER AND CLOTHING

American Red Cross ...............................................................................................................

Capital City Rescue Mission ...................................................................................................

Homeless & Traveler Aid Society ...........................................................................................

Interfaith Partnership Emergency Shelter /Sheridan Hollow ...................................................

Salvation Army (20 S. Ferry) ...................................................................................................

(518) 458-8111

(518) 462-0459

(518) 463-2124

(518) 434-8021

(518) 463-6678FOOD PANTRIES

Food Pantries for the Capital District ...................................................................................... (518) 458-1167

HOTLINE NUMBERS (EMERGENCY)

Albany County 24 Hr. Sexual Assault Hotline ......................................................................... (518) 447-7716

Center for Disease Control .................................................................................................... 1-800-232-4636

CDPC Crisis Center ................................................................................................................ (518) 447-9650

Equinox, Inc. Domestic Violence Services .............................................................................. (518) 434-6135

24 Hr. Hotline .......................................................................................................................... (518) 432-7865

HATAS Domestic Violence Services ....................................................................................... (518) 463-2124

NYS Child Abuse/Maltreatment Register ............................................................................... 1-800-342-3720

Poison Center ........................................................................................................................ 1-800-222-1222

Police/Fire .................................................................................................................................................. 911

Police – (NON-EMERGENCY) ............................................................................................... (518) 438-4000

United Way of Northeastern New York Referral Line ................................................... 211 or (518) 694-8900

HOUSING

Capital District Psychiatric Center ...........................................................................................

Equinox, Inc. ...........................................................................................................................

DePaul Housing Management/Catholic Charities ...................................................................

Homeless Action Committee ...................................................................................................

Homeless and Travelers Aid Society ......................................................................................

Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless ...................................................................................

Jansen House .........................................................................................................................

Mercy House ...........................................................................................................................

Rehabilitation Support Services ..............................................................................................

Support Ministries for Persons with HIV/AIDS ........................................................................

100 Clinton (CAPS) .................................................................................................................

(518) 447-9611

(518) 435-9931

(518) 459-0183

(518) 426-0554

(518) 463-2124

(518) 434-8021

(518) 482-2648

(518) 434-3531

(518) 462-1094

(518) 427-2463

(518) 434-1178

INPATIENT SERVICES

Albany Medical Center Psychiatry E-2 .................................................................................... (518) 262-5518

Brattleboro Retreat ................................................................................................................ 1- 888-738-7328

Capital District Psychiatric Center ........................................................................................... (518) 447-9611

Conifer Park ............................................................................................................................ (518) 399-6446

Ellis Hospital ........................................................................................................................... (518) 243-4000

Four Winds Hospital (Saratoga) .............................................................................................. (518) 584-3600

Hope House (Administration for various programs) ................................................................ (518) 482-4673

Hospitality House, Inc. ............................................................................................................ (518) 434-6468

Next Step (women) ................................................................................................................. (518) 465-5249

Samaritan Hospital .................................................................................................................. (518) 271-3300

Trinity Institution/Homer Perkins, Inc. ..................................................................................... (518) 436-1104

820 River Street – (Altamont House) ...................................................................................... (518) 861-6207

LEGAL SERVICES

Disability Advocates ................................................................................................................ (518) 432-7861

Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY .................................................................................... 1-800-462-2922

Mental Hygiene Legal Service ................................................................................................ (518) 447-9664

NYS Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy ............................................................. 1-800-624-4143

NYS Offices of Victims Services ............................................................................................. (518) 457-8727

The Legal Project .................................................................................................................... (518) 435-1770

OUTPATIENT SERVICES

Addiction Care Center of Albany .............................................................................................

Albany County Mental Health Center (Clinic) ..........................................................................

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) ..................................................................................

Belvedere of Albany ................................................................................................................

Capital District Psychiatric Services Support Center ..............................................................

Children and Family Services of Albany (Center for Problem Gambling .................................

Counseling Care & Services (Psychotherapy) ........................................................................

Eleanor Young Clinic ..............................................................................................................

Equinox, Inc. ...........................................................................................................................

Family & Children Services of the Capital Region ..................................................................

Hope House, Inc. ....................................................................................................................

LaSalle School (Adolescents ..................................................................................................

Loyola Recovery (Medically Supervised Withdrawal) .............................................................

Pearl Counseling Center, Inc. .................................................................................................

Rehabilitation Support Services, Inc. ......................................................................................

SPARC ...................................................................................................................................

Senior Hope, Inc. (50 yrs. old plus) .........................................................................................

Trinity/Homer Perkins, Inc. ......................................................................................................

Whitney Young (FACTS) ........................................................................................................

Whitney Young (MMTP) ..........................................................................................................

820 River Street – Eleanor Young Memorial Clinic .................................................................

(518) 434-2367

(518) 447-4555

(518) 447-4668

(518) 694-9400

(518) 436-4462

(518) 462-6531

(518) 237-4263

(518) 465-8034

(518) 434-6135

(518) 462-6531

(518) 427-8207

(518) 242-4731

(518) 689-3094

(518) 462-4320

(518) 462-1094

(518) 482-2455

(518) 489-7777

(518) 436-1104

(518) 465-9345

(518) 463-3882

(518) 435-8034

PEER SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY

Albany County Consumer Affairs Liaison (Vikki Gates-Williams) ............................................ (518) 447-4555

Albany County Consumer Advocacy Board (Lori Costanzo) .................................................. (518) 434-1203

Capital Area Peer Services (Dan Reilly) ................................................................................. (518) 427-5056

CAPS Careline ........................................................................................................................ (518) 427-0310

Nights/Weekends (518) 427-5056 ext. #2

Capital District Center for Independence (CDCI) .................................................................... (518) 459-6422

Mental Health Empowerment Project (Amy Colesante) .......................................................... (518) 434-1393

New York Association Psychiatric Rehabilitation (NYAPRS) .................................................. (518) 436-0008

REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION

Equinox, Inc. 24 Hr. Family Support/Education/Guidance/Groups .........................................

Equinox, Inc. (PROS) ..............................................................................................................

Northeast Career Planning (PROS) ........................................................................................

Rehabilitation Support Services (PROS) ................................................................................

(518) 312-2228

(518) 435-9931

(518) 465-5201

(518) 462-1094SELF-HELP/SUPPORT GROUPS

Equinox, Inc. 24 Hr. Family Support Line ................................................................................ (518) 312-2228

National Alliance for the Mental Ill (CDPC/ Mame Lyttle) ........................................................ (518) 438-9785

NYS Parent and Kin Connection ........................................................................................... 1- 800-345-5437

SOCIAL PROGRAMS

Capital Area Peer Services (CAPS) – Victor Pagano Community Drop In Center .................. (518) 427-5056

SUPPORT PROGRAMS/PROVIDER BASED

Equinox, Inc. ........................................................................................................................... (518) 435-9931

Family Psych. Education (CDPC) – Frank Greco ................................................................... (518) 447-9611

Anger Management ................................................................................................................ (518) 462-6531

TRANSPORTATION

Medical Transportation Management (MTM ) ....................................................................... 1- 888-561-8747

Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) .................................................................... (518) 482-8822

VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Adult Career and Continuing Education Vocational Services (ACCES/VR formerly VESID) ..

Counseling Care and Services – Employee Assistance Program ...........................................

Homeless & Travelers Aid (HATAS) .......................................................................................

Northeast Career Planning (NECP) ........................................................................................

Rehabilitation Support Services (RSS – PROS) .....................................................................

(518) 473-8097

(518) 237-4263

(518) 463-2124

(518) 438-3445

(518) 462-1094

INFORMATION AND REFERRALS

Albany Housing Authority/Section 8

(518) 641-7500

Capital District Developmental Disabilities Services Office (CD DDSO) ................................. (518) 486-1313

Department of Social Services (DSS) General Information – Medicaid/Food Stamps/HEAP . (518) 447-7300

Medicaid ................................................................................................................................. (518) 449-4900

NYS Office of Mental Health ................................................................................................. 1- 800-597-8481

NYS Bar Center/Lawyer Referral ............................................................................................ (518) 463-3200

Social Security (SSI/SSDI) ............................................................. 1-800-772-1213 or local: 1-866-253-9183

Troy Housing Authority ........................................................................................................... (518) 271-8353

(Mental Health Services for Adults)

Albany County

MENTAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

FOR FAMILIES

GENERAL INFORMATION

Albany County Health Department ............................................................... (518) 447-4580

Al-Anon Family Groups

(relative/friends of people who suffer from alcoholism) ............................. (518) 292-0577

Capital District Psychiatric Center

(Family Services 9 Counties) Frank Greco ............................................. (518) 447-9611

Equinox, Inc. – Counseling & Education ..................................................... (518) 435-9931

(24 hour hotline – Family Support –Polina Geseleva) ............................... (518) 312-2228

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Albany County Mental Health ....................................................................... (518) 447-4555

Albany Medical Center Psychotherapy ........................................................ (518) 262-7239

Center for Disability Services ....................................................................... (518) 489-8336

Counseling Care and Services (Individual/Family Therapy) ......................... (518) 237-4263

Equinox, Inc. ................................................................................................ (518) 435-9931

Karner Psychological Associates

Pinnacle Behavioral Health IPA ................................................................... (518) 689-0244

Psychological Services Center at the University at Albany .......................... (518) 442-4900

Rensselaer County Mental Health ................................................................ (518) 463-8869

Office of Community Services (Schenectady County) .................................. (518) 386-2218

Saratoga County Mental Health ................................................................... (518) 584-9030

SUNY Psychological Services Center .......................................................... (518) 442-4900

Trinity/Homer Perkins, Inc, .......................................................................... (518) 436-1104

Whitney M. Young Health Care Center ........................................................ (518) 465-4771

FAMILY COURTS

Albany County Family Court ......................................................................... (518) 285-8600

Family Treatment Court ............................................................................... (518) 285-8650

Rensselaer County Family Court ................................................................ (518) 453-5515

Saratoga County Family Court ..................................................................... (518) 451-8888

Schenectady County Family Court ............................................................... (518) 285-8435

OTHER

Gambling Recovery Center .......................................................................... (518) 356-1012

Mothers Against Drunk Driving ..................................................................... (518) 785-6233

Mame Lyttle (NAMI Family Representative) ................................................ (518) 438-9785

NAMI–NYS .................................................................................................. (518) 462-2000

National Alliance on Mental Illness in NYS .................................................. 1-800-950-3228

NYS Parent & Kin Connection Helpline ....................................................... 1-800-345-5437

NAMI Criminal Justice ................................................................................. (518) 462-2000

Senior Services .......................................................................................... (518) 465-3322

(518) Senior Services Caregiver Support ................................................ (518) 465-1398

Department of Veteran’s Affairs .................................................................. 1-800-827-1000

NYS Office of Mental Health ....................................................................... 1-800-447-9664

(Family Services in the Adult System)

 

Albany County

PEER AND ADVOCACY SERVICES

ALBANY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH (A.C.D.M.H.)

260 S. Pearl Street

Albany, NY 12202

Phone: (518) 447-4555

Fax:

(518) 447-4661

E-mail: Vikki.Gates-Williams@albanycounty.com - Vikki Gates-Williams, Consumer Affairs Liaison

ALBANY COUNTY CONSUMER ADVOCACY BOARD FOR MENTAL HEALTH, INC. (A.C.C.A..B)

10 North Russell Road – Westgate Building (Lower Level)

Albany, NY 12206

Phone: (518) 434-1203

Fax:

(518) 434-4881

E-mail: lcostanzo70@gmail.com - Lori Costanzo, Executive Director

CAPITAL AREA PEER SERVICES, INC. (CAPS)

354 Central Avenue

Albany, NY 12206

Phone: (518) 427-5056

Fax:

(518) 427-5059

E-mail: danr@nycaps.org – Dan Reilly, Executive Director

CAPITAL DISTRICT CENTER FOR INDEPEDENCE, INC. (C.D.C.I.)

845 Central Avenue – South 3

Albany, NY 12206

Phone: (518) 459-6422

Fax:

(518) 459-7847

E-mail: CDCI@web.com – Laurel Lei Kelley , Executive Director

CAPITAL DISTRICT PSYCHIATRIC CENTER (C.D.P.C.)

Albany Community Support Center

140 Lake Street

Albany, NY 12210

Phone: (518) 436-4468E-Mail: Vukasin.Milenkovic@omh.ny.gov – Vukasin Milenkovic – Peer Specialist

MENTAL HEALTH EMPOWERMENT PROJECT, INC. (M.H.E.P.)

21 Colvin Avenue

Albany, NY 12206

Phone: (518) 434-1393

Fax:

(518) 434-3823

E-mail: amymhep@aol.com - Amy Colesante, Executive Director

NEW YORK ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITION SERVICES (N.Y.A.P.R.S.)

1 Columbia Street

Albany, NY 12207

Phone: (518) 436-0008

Fax:

(518) 436-0044

E-mail: Chacku Mathai - chackum@nyaprs.org – Harvey Rosenthal, Executive Director

(Mental Health Peer Services)

Works Cited

Kennedy, Eugene and Charles, Sara C. On Becoming a Counselor. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company, 2001. Print.

“Crisis”. Merriam Webster. Web 16 Feb. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crisis>

“Family Services in the Adult System”. Albany County Department of Mental Health. Web 6 Jun. 2014. <http://www.albanycounty.com/Libraries/Department_of_Mental_Health/Famil…;

“Mental Health Peer Services”. Albany County Department of Mental Health. Web 6 Jun. 2014. <http://www.albanycounty.com/Libraries/Department_of_Mental_Health/Menta…;

“Mental Health Services for Adults”. Albany County Department of Mental Health. Web 6 Jun. 2014. <http://www.albanycounty.com/Libraries/Department_of_Mental_Health/Menta…;

“Mental Health Services for Childeren”. Albany County Department of Mental Health. Web 6 Jun. 2014. <http://www.albanycounty.com/Libraries/Department_of_Mental_Health/Mental_Health_Services_for_Children.sflb.ashx>

“Recognizing the Warning Signs of Suicide”. Web MD. Web 20 Feb. 2014. <http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-recognizing-signs-of-s…;

“Suicide Warning Signs”. Caruso, Kevin. Suicide.org. Web 20 Feb. 2014. <http://www.suicide.org/suicide-warning-signs.html&gt;

“Suicide Myths”. Caruso, Kevin. Suicide.org. Web 6 Jun. 2014. <http://www.suicide.org/suicide-myths.html>