When a mental health crisis hits, Shannon Ferrell, Oklahoma State University ag law specialist, outlines seven resources to keep handy in the event you are the first responder to help someone in need someday.
1. Start local
Conduct a search for any in-person telehealth mental health resources that are available in your area.
2. 211
Dialing 211 in many areas of the country will enable you to get access to mental health resources.
3. NAMI
The National Alliance for Mental Illness is a national group, a grassroots movement designed to help get mental health resources to the people that need them. Call 800-950-6264 or email info@nami.org
4. National Suicide Hotline
The national suicide hotline, 800-273-8255, is an important number to keep handy in case you run into someone who is contemplating suicide. Ferrell said in those moments, it’s important to be able to help connect people to a professional 24/7.
5. Disaster Distress
The Disaster Distress helpline is 800-985-5990 or text TALKWITHUS to 66746.
6. Crisis Text 24/7
Text HELLO to 741741
7. Child Abuse Hotlines
Find your state’s child abuse hotline and get it in your contacts, too.
Remember, helping people who are experiencing stress overload is like giving CPR.
“You don’t quit until you get somebody in a safe place,” said Brent Brewer of the Oklahoma Farmers Union during the Online Top Producer Summit.
Read the rest of the series on Toxic Grit here:
Toxic Grit: Is Our Greatest Strength Our Greatest Weakness on the Farm?
