Crisis & Counseling Centers is launching an Open Access Center for individuals to get help now
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUGUSTA, Maine – Crisis & Counseling Centers’ staff are proud to announce that they are opening their doors widely to support a growing need for immediate connection to mental health and substance use support throughout Kennebec County. Crisis & Counseling Centers (C&C) is launching an Open Access Center to provide same-day care for urgent mental health and substance use needs.
“Crisis and Counseling Centers is shifting how it delivers services to connect people to the care they urgently need,” says Amber Kruk, Communications and Development Director for Crisis and Counseling Centers. “We want to get community members off waitlists and into care now. Our first step is to open our doors widely by launching an Open Access Center in Augusta by offering short-term targeted counseling to help individuals start their care. The Open Access Center will offer same-day care for individuals on a walk-in or telehealth basis for urgent mental health or substance use needs. In some cases it will be appropriate for individuals to access traditional longer-term therapy after engaging in counseling through the Open Access Center and our team will work to coordinate that care.”
The Open Access Center will operate 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday, at Crisis & Counseling Centers’ outpatient office at 10 Caldwell Road in Augusta. Community members can always find current operating hours online at www.gethelpnow.me. Help is available to all individuals and not limited to existing Crisis & Counseling Centers’ clients.
Crisis & Counseling Centers is required to bill for its services. MaineCare and private insurance will pay for many of its services. Individuals without insurance are welcome to receive care and are asked to inform the Open Access team when they start services. Crisis & Counseling Centers’ team will work to see if individuals qualify for MaineCare insurance, if they are eligible for grant funding to help cover the cost of their care, or explore establishing a payment plan that will not limit someone’s ability to obtain care.
Adults, adolescents, and children who are experiencing sudden or chronic stress or feelings of depression, anxiety, or hopelessness and want to explore their options; enrolled in care with a provider and need support between appointments; or are on a waiting list to start their mental health or substance use treatment and need help now are all eligible to receive care through the Open Access Center.
Anyone interested in care from the Open Access Center but unsure if it is right for them is encouraged to call and speak with the Open Access team at (207) 626-3414. Additionally, a list of symptoms an individual might be experiencing is provided online at www.gethelpnow.me to empower people to know when it might be time to reach out for support.
“Our care team is happy to talk with anyone considering care to help determine if targeted short-term counseling offered through the center will meet their needs,” says Elizabeth Daigle, Clinical Director at Crisis & Counseling Centers. “Individuals are encouraged to call (207) 626-3414 to start the conversation. If services through the Open Access Center don’t offer the right level of care, our care team can help make referrals to services at Crisis & Counseling Centers and from other providers.”
Community members interested in supporting the Open Access Center are invited to join the Open Door Club, a group of monthly donors that provides sustainable support to ensure that Crisis & Counseling Centers can keep every door open to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Join online at www.crisisandcounseling.org/give/open-door-club.
In-kind donations of prepackaged snacks, fruit, juice boxes, and bottled beverages are currently being accepted to offer to clients of all ages receiving care at the Open Access Center. Contact Amelia Metcalfe, Development Specialist at Crisis & Counseling Centers, by email, publicrelations@crisisandcounseling.org, for details on how to make an in-kind donation.
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About Crisis & Counseling Centers
Founded in 1970, Crisis & Counseling Centers is a 52-year-old multi-service mental health and substance use agency headquartered in Augusta, Maine, that provides a comprehensive treatment continuum that includes: Crisis Mobile Resolution and Crisis Stabilization Unit services; mental health, substance use disorder, and co-occurring disorders treatment; statewide parent/caregiver support through its G.E.A.R. Parent Network program; Children’s Targeted Case Management; Parents Case Management for pregnant women or parents struggling with substance use disorder; medication management; and OPTIONS, a substance use harm reduction program. More information is available online at CrisisAndCounseling.org.
If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Maine Crisis Line is available 24/7 by calling (888) 568-1112.
For more information, please contact Amber Kruk at (207) 557-0534 or by email at AKruk@CrisisAndCounseling.org.