Frequently Asked Questions
I am experiencing a mental health crisis. What do I do?
Crawford County Mental Health Center provides emergency assistance with mental health related issues 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for Crawford County and the surrounding service area. The local Save-Line can be reached by phone at 620-232-SAVE (7283).
The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can also provide 24/7 support by calling or texting 988, or chatting online at 988lifeline.org.
Who is eligible for services?
Everyone is eligible for services. Crawford County Mental Health Center serves residents of Crawford County and the surrounding areas without regard to race, age, creed, color, national origin, sexuality, or economic status.
Do I need a referral to receive services at Crawford County Mental Health Center?
A referral is not required. Many individuals are self or family-referred, while others come by recommendation of doctors, schools, friends, or other providers. To start services please visit our Same Day Access clinic Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. For more information about Same Day Access, please click here, or call us at 620-231-5130.
How do I schedule an appointment?
No appointments necessary. Crawford County Mental Health Center’s Same Day Access clinic offers readily available mental health intakes, screenings, and referrals for new patients from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The clinic is located at 911 East Centennial in Pittsburg, Kansas.
What should I expect at Same Day Access?
- You will be asked to fill out paperwork by the front desk staff and will then meet with a patient navigator.
- The patient navigator will go over a screener with you to identify risk factors and determine triage level, go over registration paperwork, review financial aspects of services, and orient you to services while answering any questions.
- The patient navigator will schedule an intake with a licensed clinician, as available.
- The intake clinician will go over a diagnosis, treatment plan and make referrals to other appropriate services.
- The Same Day Access process can take up to two hours, or more, depending on your needs.
Same Day Access Hours of Operation and Location: Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Same Day Access Hours Location: 911 E Centennial, Pittsburg, Kansas 66762
**For child and family services, a parent or legal guardian needs to accompany a minor for the initial intake process. A legal guardian must have signed paperwork indicating guardianship.
For more information on Same Day Access click here.
What should I bring with me to my first appointment?
During your initial appointment you should plan to bring your:
- Insurance card (if applicable)
- State ID Card or Driver’s License
- Medication Lists
- Relevant Past Medical Records
- Proof of income (if applying for financial assistance)
- Last filed income tax (if applying for financial assistance)
- Proof of Residency (only for Substance Use evaluations)
Is my information confidential?
Yes! Crawford County Mental Health Center makes patient confidentiality as a top priority. All state and federal requirements are met or exceeded, including HIPAA regulations. CCMHC also complies with all mandatory reporting requirements.
Why is Crawford County Mental Health Center starting to address my physical health when I see them for mental health services?
Crawford County Mental Health Center has become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) which uses a wholeperson approach to client care. Part of that approach acknowledges that mental health and physical health are closely related. Good mental health can positively affect your physical health. In turn, poor mental health can negatively affect your physical health.
What is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC)?
CCBHC is an outpatient, integrated care model incorporating care coordination and utilizing a cost based payment methodology. The federal criteria for CCBHC defines the specific requirements each state had to follow during the demonstration. This criteria still provides the structure for the program in Kansas.
The goals of the CCBHC program in Kansas are to:
- Increase access to community-based mental health and substance use disorder services (particularly to under-served communities);
- Advance integration of behavioral health with physical health care; and
- Improve utilization of evidence-based practices on a more consistent basis.
Part of how CCBHCs increase access is to “step out of the clinic 4 walls” – meaning CCBHCs strive to serve people in their homes and in the community or via telehealth whenever possible.
CCBHCs in Kansas are expected to complete a thorough needs assessment in their community and then continuously improve their services according to those needs. CCBHCs must offer care that is person-centered and family-centered, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and that the integration of mental health and substance use disorder services in coordination with physical health care and social services will serve the “whole person” rather than disconnecting aspects of the individual. CCBHCs serve individuals regardless of ability to pay or place of residence; therefore, those who are most in need of coordinated, integrated and quality care will receive it from CCBHCs.
The CCBHC model embraces a recovery-oriented philosophy, supporting multiple pathways for individuals to recover from mental illness and substance use disorders requiring the staff to work in an integrated way enacting a harm reduction model. CCBHCs implement medication-assisted recovery—the use of medication, in combination with counseling and care coordination services, to provide effective support for recovery from addictive substances as well as mental illness. Medications may be provided in the short-term as Outpatient Withdrawal Management or in the long term as Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT).
What are Evidence Based Practices?
We have staff trained to provide numerous evidence based practices. Evidence based practices are interventions that have been tested by researchers and have been found to be effective. Just as within the medical field, researchers have found that some behavioral and psychological treatments are more effective than others. As a result of this research, our clinicians are qualified to use evidence based practices and can expect that these interventions will have a greater chance of success.
How can I help a friend or family member who I believe may have a mental health or substance use problem?
It can be difficult to know how to help a loved one who seems to be struggling with mental illness. Once you know the signs and symptoms, you may feel comfortable gently approaching your friend or family member. Mention that you’ve noticed a change in behavior and that you’re concerned. Let your loved one know that you’re there to listen, without judgment. When the time is right, you can encourage them to seek help at a mental health treatment center. You are welcome to call us to discuss alternatives for encouraging the family member to make the appointment. In a situation of concern for the safety of your family member or others, seek help immediately.
How can I provide feedback or express a concern?
Obtaining feedback from you and our community members is an important part of assessing the quality of our organization and impact to the community. On an ongoing basis you will have the opportunity to participate in a short, confidential Patient Satisfaction survey.
To visist our Client Feedback page, please click here.
Where can I find more information?
If you have further inquires, please call us at 620-231-5130 and our reception will relay your message to someone who can help. Below are some helpful Mental Health resources:
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline