Help is Available for Those Struggling with a Crisis

OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Division of Mental Hygiene partners with Liberty Resources to raise awareness about a crisis intervention service available for area youth and adults. It helps them manage crisis episodes related to suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, emotional distress and mental illness. The service is available 24 hours a day, either over the phone or in-person, at no cost to the individual.

Liberty Resources’ Regional Mobile Crisis Team will provide support over the phone or go to the individual, conduct a brief assessment, develop safety plans and make referrals for further support and services. The Crisis Team also partners with law enforcement when they respond to calls related to behavioral health.

“The mobile crisis service is an incredibly valuable resource that every person in the county should know about,” said Nicole Kolmsee, director of community services, Oswego County Division of Mental Hygiene. “You never know when you, or someone you know, may experience a crisis episode that is beyond your, or their, ability to manage. Whether this is a first-time crisis, or whether the episode is brief or enduring, this service is available to everyone.”

Some signs of a potential behavioral health crisis include:

• Thoughts of suicide or harm to yourself or others
• Excessive smoking, drinking or using other substances
• Anger, feeling edgy or lashing out at others
• Overwhelming sadness
• Social withdrawal and paranoia

“It takes immense courage to acknowledge when you need help and reaching out for support is the first and most important step in healing,” said Andréa Crolick-Swain, LMSW, director of mobile crisis division, Liberty Resources. “It’s important for you to know that you are not alone and there are resources and people to help support you through life’s challenges.”

“We are deeply grateful for Oswego County’s partnership and their efforts in helping us spread the word about Liberty Resources’ Regional Mobile Crisis Team,” she added. “This collaboration highlights the county’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of our community. Together, we are making significant strides towards ensuring that mental health support is readily accessible to those in need.

Oswego County’s Division of Mental Hygiene is driving this message home thanks to public transit.

“Be on the look-out for the Centro buses moving about the county promoting Liberty Resources’ Regional Mobile Crisis Team on the bus tails,” said Kolmsee. “We encourage everyone to take notice and share this information with their friends, family, neighbors and colleagues.”

Liberty Resources’ Regional Mobile Crisis Team is a multi-disciplinary response unit that provides intervention services to individuals experiencing an intense behavioral health crisis in Oswego, Cayuga, Cortland, Madison and Onondaga counties. The overall goal is to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and arrests while increasing access to mental health resources that maintain stabilization. The Regional Mobile Crisis Service also provides mental health and substance use assessments, safety and crisis planning, and peer support services.

Liberty Resources also operates a Crisis Respite Residential Program in Oswego County that provides a supportive short-term residential environment for adults experiencing a crisis.  The program helps residents navigate challenging times by providing access to services such as counseling, medication management, peer support and connection to resources needed for long-term care.

If you or someone you know needs support during an intense behavioral health crisis, please contact Liberty Resources’ Regional Mobile Crisis Team at 315-251-0800.

For a listing of additional crisis services available to residents of Oswego County, please visit the Oswego County Division of Mental Hygiene Crisis Services webpage at www.oswegocounty.com/crisis.

For help navigating or accessing other behavioral health services, call 315-963-5361, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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