While a crisis can be difficult to predict, knowing where to go during it doesn’t need to be. Porter-Starke Services’ Crisis Center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and offers calm, qualified care to patients no matter where they fall on the crisis continuum.
“The Crisis Center provides individualized crisis services designed specifically to meet a client’s needs and promotes a balanced, whole view of the person,” said Director of Acute Intensive Services Melanie J. Johnsen. “Each client is evaluated on an individual basis and is recommended to a level of care designed to meet their individual needs.”
The Crisis Center provides a less restrictive environment for patients compared to psychiatric hospitals. It also accepts walk-ins.
“A major goal is the restoration of one's well-being and sense of self while establishing needed services,” said Johnsen. “The Crisis Center staff will facilitate and support each person's pursuit of self-understanding and personal balance throughout their crisis and afterward.”
To accomplish its goal of well-being restoration, the Crisis Center and its staff take a holistic approach to assessing patients. The Crisis Center focuses on short-term, immediate care that sets patients up for future long-term care.
“Our services include assessment, level of care recommendation, crisis stabilization, peer support, and outpatient referrals/coordination,” Johnsen said. “Decisions regarding treatment recommendations are based on the assessment, the client's personal goals, current level of functioning, and recommendations from the provider.”
Once the team can determine a patient’s needs, they can begin recommending treatment plans. This can include referrals to a variety of services such as outpatient services, crisis stabilization services, or medical treatment, among others.
Before any treatment plan can be started, the Crisis Center team makes sure to talk with the patient about their personal goals. The team at the Crisis Center is filled with staff who are always looking out for the patient.
“Our staff are compassionate and understanding individuals, meeting the client wherever they are in the crisis continuum. The staff must be passionate about mental health services, and the mental health needs of the community or have education to support their interest in mental health/social work,” said Johnsen. “Some of our staff have lived or living experience in mental health and serve as advocates for the clients.”
As a result of having such passionate staff, Porter-Starke is additionally able to offer mobile crisis services that can de-escalate situations while avoiding unnecessary medical trips. Whether a patient walks into the Crisis Center or is met by the mobile team, they can rest assured that their needs will be met.
“The Crisis Center is open 24/7, 365 days a year. It is intended to be a ‘place to go’ regardless of where a client falls in the crisis continuum,” Johnsen said. “The Crisis Center is intended to help clients divert from higher levels of care – including emergency rooms or jail – and can assist clients in mental health crises with services that are most appropriate to their needs.”
Currently, the Crisis Center is hiring for triage specialists, peer support specialists, triage nurses, and crisis stabilization technicians. Those interested in a career helping others through crises can apply at porterstarke.org/careers.
To learn more about Porter-Starke Services, visit www.porterstarke.org
