Program Description

The purpose of the Crisis Intervention Program of the Piedmont Center for Mental Health Services is to provide psychiatric assessment and immediate stabilization of acute symptoms of mental illness, and/or emotional distress. The program is available to all individuals within our service area who are experiencing a psychiatric crisis or are in need of evaluation for inpatient psychiatric or substance abuse treatment. This program is available twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week.
During regular office hours Crisis Intervention services are provided by assigned Mental Health Professionals located in our Clinic offices in Greer and Simpsonville. This program may be accessed by telephone or by walk-in.  A screening process has been established to ensure that persons seeking crisis services are given priority.  After-hours, weekends and on holidays the Center provides access to the Crisis Intervention Program through an in-house on-call system. After-hours access to the assigned Mental Health Professional is available through a contractual arrangement with the Mental Health Association of Greenville County (MHAGC).  MHAGC provides a 24/7 Crisis Line.  Crisis Line uses trained volunteers and paid staff to screen calls and provides access to the professional on-call staff for after-hours assessment, intervention (when indicated) and referral.  Face to face assessment and intervention, when needed, can be provided at a safe location, preferably a hospital emergency room.
The Mental Health Professional on-call has access to one or more of the organization’s physicians via the telephone.  Face to face psychiatric evaluation by a medical doctor is available through any of the four Emergency Departments in our service area.  
A person seeking emergency psychiatric services may also present him or herself to one of four  local Emergency Departments. A trained mental health counselor is available evenings and weekends at the busiest emergency room in our service area, Allan Bennett Hospital.  If the trained mental health counselor is not available at the emergency room, the Emergency Department staff are instructed to contact Crisis Line for access to the on-call professional.

Philosophy of the Program  

The philosophy of the Crisis Intervention Program is to provide easy access to emergency psychiatric care in a non-stigmatizing environment. It is our intent to provide these services as promptly as possible, in the least restrictive setting possible and with respect for the individual’s strengths, needs, abilities and preferences.  

Goals of the Program

• To provide prompt clinical assessment, intervention and referral services for individuals experiencing acute symptoms related to mental illness or emotional distress.
• To provide access to Crisis Intervention services twenty-four hours per day, seven days per-week.
• To provide Crisis Intervention services in a manner that is respectful of the individual’s cultural background.   
• With the consent of the persons served, to provide for the involvement of significant others in the process of resolving the immediate crisis.
• To provide services in the least restrictive environment possible.
• To provide an initial Crisis Intervention plan.
• When indicated, to provide recommendations and linkage for intermediate or long term care.
• When indicated, to provide access to in-patient psychiatric or substance abuse treatment.

Description of Services

Initial screening to rule out emergency medical conditions.

• Crisis Management
• Assessment - Mental Health Professional
• Treatment Plan Formulation
• Psychiatric Medical Assessment
• Linking, Targeted Case Management (Adult and Youth)

Special Populations

For individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, a TTY Crisis Line is available.  The TTY Crisis Line provides 24/7 access to a Mental Health Professional who is fluent in American Sign Language.  

Facilities and Resources

Crisis Intervention services are provided by staff who are credentialed at the Mental Health Professional lebel. An on-call schedule is posted and there are procedures to provide back-up when necessary.

The primary service locations for the Crisis Intervention Program are our Out-Patient Clinic offices in Simpsonville and Greer. Administrative support is available at these locations as well as adequate space for private interviews with persons served and significant others. In Simpsonville and Greer, a separate entrance is available for use by Public Safety officers when bringing someone in for evaluation.