DIVISION OF CHILD MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE CRISIS SERVICES/CHILD PRIORITY RESPONSE
Crisis Service/Child Priority Response is a 7 day per week, 24 hours per day service which provides emergency acute care services when a child is in a mental health or substance abuse crisis and could cause self harm or harm to someone else or has recently been exposed to a traumatic or violent event. The purpose of the crisis program is to enhance the client/family’s ability to utilize its strengths and community resources as support during a period of crisis and help create more effective solutions to long standing problems.
Treatment and intervention are directed at preserving natural community relations and settings, and may occur (with parental/guardian consent) in the office, school, emergency rooms, church, family’s home, outpatient clinics and other community settings. These interventions could include the child or adolescent, the family, extended family, outpatient clinicians, school teacher, clergy, friends or other significant member of the family’s community.
Services include:
- On-site response when needed – statewide
- Mental health risk assessment
- Intensive follow-up for child/family for up to 30 days in child’s home/school/community
- Short-term supervised crisis bed for clinical observation and safety when indicated
- Referral information and assistance for appropriate ongoing mental health and substance abuse treatment
TOLL FREE NUMBER
OR
New Castle County 302-633-5128
New Castle County
Kent County & Sussex County
1-800-722-7710
(North of C&D Canal)
1-800-969-HELP(4357)
(South of C&D Canal)
302-424-HELP(4357)
New Castle - (302) 577-2484 - Kent/Sussex - (800) 345-6785
or go the nearest hospital or emergency center, or call 911.