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BY JANET OJEDA Crises don't just occur on weekdays between 8 - 5. The Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) knows this all too well. Last month GCAL received more than 20,000 calls from people with urgent and emergency needs, those who requested information on mental health services in their area, and others who simply needed someone to listen. Behavioral Health Link (BHL) began a unique collaboration in 2006 with the Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disability and Addictive Disease. For the first time, individuals from across the state can call a single number for access to care or help in a crisis. The GCAL is staffed with professional social workers and counselors 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist callers with urgent and emergency needs. The staff directly connects callers who require more routine services with the agency of their choice and even schedules appointments. "This unique service offers callers confidential help for themselves or a loved one with a mental health crisis or problem with drugs or alcohol," said Dwayne Dennis of BHL, who operates the program. "People of all ages can find support for mental health issues, addiction, and developmental disabilities. By the time they hang up, callers can have an appointment scheduled with a mental health provider." GCAL staff follows up with callers to make sure they actually get the services and help they require. In some areas, mobile crisis units visit people's homes for community-based care. Trained clinicians assess people to determine the care they need, ensure that they receive support and information, and refer them to the appropriate treatment. Because their goal is to reach more people and serve them more effectively, GCAL has set up a Web site where people can find services close to where they live, along with maps to their locations. Knowing help is just a phone call away could make reaching out easier for communities. For more information, call 1-800-715-4225 or visit www.mygcal.com.
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