If you’re in crisis, help is available

In today’s turbulent times, people of all ages can find themselves facing mental health, physical or emotional crisis. Help is available – often only a phone call away.

If you, a family member, union brother or sister or friend are struggling, there are resources available that could help save a life.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Aisha Sultan compiled this list as part of her on-going series on mental health.

CRISIS HELP LINES

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Available 24/7 to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call will be routed to the nearest crisis center.
• Life Crisis Services: 314-647-HELP (4357). One of the nation’s oldest suicide prevention and crisis hotlines. Operates 24/7.
• Behavioral Health Response: 314-469-6644 (St. Louis), 1-800-811-4760 (toll free). Operates 24/7.
• Military/Veterans Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255), press 1.
• Crisis Text Line: Send a text message to 741741. Live, trained crisis counselors available 24/7 via text.
• KUTO (Kids Under Twenty-One) Crisis Helpline: 1-888-644-KUTO (5886). Available to any youth needing assistance, referral information or crisis service. This helpline is staffed exclusively by youth volunteers.
• LGBTQ Youth Suicide Hotline: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (488-7386). Serving LGBTQ youth in crisis.
• Crisis Nursery Help Line: 314-768-3201 (St. Louis); 636-947-0600 (St. Charles). Free short-term, safe care for children from birth through age 12, whose families face an emergency caused by illness, homelessness, domestic violence or overwhelming parental stress.
• Youth In Need: 636-946-3771. Emergency residential center for children and teens, ages 10-18, who are in crisis.
• Epworth Youth Emergency Service: 314-727-6294. Counseling, family therapy, psychiatric and residential treatment available.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (St. Louis) Crisis Line: 1-800-811-4670.
• Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Response Team: 314-531-7273. The YWCA’s rape crisis line is staffed 24/7.
• ALIVE (Alternative to Living in Violent Environments): 314-993-2777.
• Women’s Safe House: 314-772-4535. Offers shelter and resources for women and children impacted by domestic violence.

FREE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

• Every Child’s Hope Mental Health Services: 314-473-1394. Serving residents in St. Louis County up to age 20.
• Jewish Community Centers: 314-993-1000. Serving residents in St. Louis County up to age 20.
• Family Forward: 314-534-9350. Serving women and children in the city of St. Louis.
• Crisis Hotline Behavioral Health Resources: 314-469-6644.
• Provident Crisis Lifeline: 314-647-4357. Counseling services for callers under age 20 in St. Louis County.
• Diversified Health and Wellness Center: 314-698-4266. Free telehealth sessions during pandemic, plus accepting major insurance including Medicaid and Medicare.
• Criminal Justice Ministry: 314-574-1138. Free counseling for those impacted by the justice system.
• ParentLink’s WarmLine: 1-800-552-8522. A parent seeking help for a child can call or send a text to 585-FAMILY1. Additional list of local resources for children and families can also be found at startherestl.org.

SLIDING SCALE SERVICES

• University of Missouri-St. Louis Counseling & Social Advocacy Center: Masters and doctoral-level student counselors. 314-516-4613.
• St. Louis University Counseling Center: Student counselors as low as $10 a session. 314-977-2505.
• Washington University Psychological Services: Counseling and other services, as low as $15 a session. 314-935-6555.
• Schiele Clinic, St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute: Psychotherapy offered, average fee is $20 a session. 314-361-7075, ext. 444, or book at stlpi.org/clinic-interest.
• Mercy Professional Services: 314-977-1240.

If you know of an organization that also offers free or low-cost mental health services, send details to asultan@post-dispatch.com to be added to this list.

(This article is reprinted with permission from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch/STLToday.com. It was published as part of a monthly series of stories on mental health. The information is frequently updated on STLtoday.com)