For 24 Hour Hotline/Crisis Intervention and Outreach Services, call: (618) 877-0316.

Chestnut Health Systems provides a crisis phone and outreach service for residents of the southern half of Madison County who experience a psychiatric or emotional crisis. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at no cost to the public. The crisis intervention program has the following components:

• Emergency Telephone Line: The telephone line provides immediate access to a supportive person in a confidential and anonymous setting. Crisis staff are trained counselors, nurses, and social workers, experienced in handling a variety of crisis situations. They assist clients to develop and use critical coping skills, and help them to activate and maintain a support network. Crisis workers make referrals to other agencies and helpful services, where appropriate.

• Walk-In Crisis Services: During normal business hours, persons in need of face-to-face services to stabilize their symptoms can come to our building at 50 Northgate Industrial Dr., Granite City, and meet with a crisis counselor to receive support and assistance in coping with acute issues. Hours of operation are: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.

• Mobile Outreach Team: In the event of mental health or substance abuse emergencies identified through the crisis phone line, staff may respond by going out into the community to provide assistance. Community outreaches occur when calls made to the Chestnut crisis line are likely to result in hospitalizations or admission to a crisis stabilization or detox bed. Crisis workers provide outreach services at police stations, hospital emergency rooms, and at other locations where police are on site.

• Brief Counseling and Stabilization: Crisis counselors may provide brief counseling and support on a short-term basis to persons who are seeking emergency assistance during our hours of operation. Referrals for psychiatric consultation and outpatient therapy may be made as appropriate.

• Follow-Up Services: Crisis staff make follow-up phone calls to ensure that persons in the crisis intervention program are able to connect with helpful services within Chestnut and other agencies.

• Crisis Stabilization Beds: Crisis beds are available, for persons aged 18 or over, who may benefit from observation and a supportive environment.

• Medically-Monitored Detox Beds: Detox beds are available, for person aged 18 or over, who are medically stable and who require detoxification from substances.