By Crystal Martinez, Fox 4
The Kansas City skyline is turning green to bring attention to 988, the number people can call if they need mental health support services.
Since it opened a little more than a year ago, Children’s Mercy has helped between 200 to 300 teens through its new clinic, treating depression and anxiety.
Dr. Ram Chettiar with the clinic says about 75 have completed the program from start to finish, which includes different services like individual and therapy medication management services. It’s also a nine to 12 month program.
“With limited resources, limited mental health professionals, it’s been a really nice possibility for some in our community,” Chettiar said. “What we are trying to do is get kids better quickly so they can move on with their lives.”
Over in Johnson County, Kansas, Good Faith Network, an interfaith justice organization is working with other community leaders to open the county’s own first crisis stabilization unit.
“Where now, their options are, especially if law enforcement has to get involved, is waiting in the ER or jail. Having a mental health crisis is not a crime,” Jennifer Savner Levinson, co-chair of Mental Health Action Team at Good Faith Network, said.
“If you have a physical health problem, you call your doctor but people don’t typically know where to turn if they have a mental health issue,” Vicki Love, with Good Faith Network, said.
While 988 is now available to anyone needing help over the phone, the unit is expected to open by the end of this year with about a dozen beds designated for people in a mental health crisis. A start to a problem everyone agrees isn’t going away and needs to be urgently addressed.
It’s just a start, Children’s Mercy says the clinic is one of 14 mental health projects it’s launching over the next five years as part of a comprehensive plan it has to address early intervention and expand inpatient hospital care.
For Johnson County residents, you can learn more about what other solutions the Good Faith Network is putting into action during an annual assembly taking place next week called Nehemiah Action. It’s taking place Tuesday, May 7 from 6-7 p.m. at the Resurrection Main Sanctuary in Leawood
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