Explore the Teller County Mental Health Alliance
Woodland Park | Divide | Florissant | Victor | Cripple Creek
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Like medical emergencies, mental health emergencies can occur unexpectedly.
Emergency psychiatric help is necessary for those whose clinical presentation requires treatment in an inpatient setting for their health and safety, such as:
If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or dial 911 in case of emergency.
For someone with an immediate life-threatening emergency call 911
The Teller County MHAP (Mental Health Assessment Program) team is made up of paramedics with training in assessment, verbal de-escalation techniques and crisis management, as well as a greater knowledge of local resources specific to mental health and substance abuse problems.
This team works to decrease the stigma around mental health and substance abuse problems and to streamline and increase access to care for these patients, while avoiding costly ambulance transport or an emergency room visit.
When should I call?
- Medical emergency
- If you or a loved one is experiencing a drug or medication overdose
- If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis, such as:
- Risk of harm to self or others
- Significant emotional or behavioral changes
- Impending or active withdrawal symptoms
- Dispatch will gather basic information such as your name, phone number and address. In the case of a mental health crisis or substance use disorder, they will try to determine if there is also a medical crisis or risk to first responders while calling up resources. Once that is completed, dispatch will send responders to the scene of the emergency right away.
- Dispatch will send a specially trained paramedic to your location in an SUV or truck, with an ambulance and/or firetruck, with appropriate resources.
- Depending on the circumstances of the call, a police officer or deputy may also be dispatched to ensure the safety of everyone on scene. If a police officer or deputy is dispatched, their primary role is to make the scene safe for you so that a person in crisis can be treated by responding paramedics.
- Upon arrival, the paramedic will help you feel welcome and comfortable while they verify your identification and collect basic demographic information, as well as health insurance information, if applicable.
- Next, our team will perform a vital signs assessment that includes temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, and pain assessment. If vital signs values are within guidelines, our team will conduct a mental health assessment.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis:
Call 844-493-8255 or
Call or text 988 or
Chat online at 988lifeline.org
When should I call?
- Thoughts of suicide
- Mental health or substance use crisis
- Any other kind of emotional distress
These crisis lifelines are confidential, free, and available 24/7/365, connecting you with trained crisis counselors
What will happen when I call?
- You’ll hear an automated message while your call is being routed to your local network crisis center
- You’ll hear some music while you are connected to a skilled, trained crisis worker
- A trained crisis worker at your local center will answer the phone
- This person will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and get you the help you need.
- Counselor will assess risk and determine if a local mobile response is necessary
Community Events
TCMHA Blog
- Joseph Marney
- October 16, 2023