WHO WE ARE

The McHenry County Crisis Center Program is the centerpoint of access for all behavioral health emergencies in McHenry County. We provide emergency mental health services, upon request, to all McHenry County residents. The Crisis Program's primary goals are to provide prompt, compassionate and effective mental health help during personal, family, or community emergency. There are two main components to the program: a 24-Hour Crisis Line and a 24-Hour Onsite Response Team. Crisis services include but are not limited to:

• 24-hour crisis intervention
• Problem solving/support
• Referral to available resources
• Linkages to ongoing services
• Face-to-Face assessment
• Screening admissions to local and state operated mental health facilities
• Grief support
• Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Services (CISD)
• Speakers Bureau
• Clearinghouse for mental health professionals for county disasters
• Consulting/Training/First Response Program

Who Are the Crisis Professionals?

McHenry County Crisis Program crisis line and onsite workers are multi-disciplined professionals who have completed intensive training programs provided by the Crisis Program and Centegra Memorial Medical Center of Illinois. All Crisis line staff are bachelor/master degree Mental Health Professionals; onsite workers are master degree Qualified Mental Health Professionals.

Our crisis professionals attend additional trainings with such organizations as the Northern Illinois Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team, the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) and various mental health and medical institutions. The Crisis Program and its staff meet all regulatory requirements of the State of Illinois.

Funding and Accreditation

The Crisis Program is primarily funded by McHenry County Mental Health Board and has been administred by Memorial Medical Center since 1992. The Crisis Program is an active member of the McHenry County Behavioral Healthcare Network, which is Joint Commission Accredited. Not only is the Crisis Program well integrated with other social service agencies, it also works closely with local schools, police, rescue, and other medical emergency personnel. We are also accredited by the American Association of Suicidology.