September is Suicide Prevention Month
September is suicide prevention month, and there is no better time to focus on your mental health and the mental health of your friends and family. Suicide and mental crises impact individuals from all walks of life and backgrounds, and there is no shame in seeking help when you need it.
While our police officers, dispatchers, and emergency medical personnel have helped those experiencing crisis in Fairbanks for many years, the new program Crisis Now has provided an invaluable resource with their Mobile Crisis Team (MCT). An MCT is a group of certified professionals who are specially trained to deliver care to people in a mental health crisis. The MCT has been working in collaboration with dispatchers and police officers to respond in Fairbanks since October 2021.
Just last month, the MCT provided 78 referrals to individuals in our community in need of mental health care, medical care, housing and recovery support. Since 988 (the new national number for crisis carelines) rolled out in July, the volume of calls for the team has increased by 25%.
We are grateful to have this resource available in Fairbanks, as well as the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and everyone responsible for supporting the Crisis Now program.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call 911 to request the Mobile Crisis Team, if a response to your location is needed.
