In 1968, a well known three digit number, 9-1-1, was created to assist with emergencies. A common concern is what to do if you are having a problem that does not constitute as an emergency but you still need immediate assistance. Too often many of us give up on finding the help we need during a tough situation due to the trouble and time it takes to locate phone numbers or speak with the correct person.
Wrong numbers, automated systems and lack of time can be frustrating, especially during a crisis. Crisis 2-1-1 can assist you with any non-emergent, but critical, situations. The standard number to dial is 2-1-1. It is the number for any crisis no matter how big or small. This crisis avenue has been available, but not widely known about, for years. 2-1-1 is there to help those in need when they do not know where else to turn. This crisis hotline, which 98% of its funding is provided by United Way, takes over 8,000 calls a year and about 500 calls a month. The staff uses their training and directories to assist with a problem, completely eliminating the anxiety that come with solving any situation. 2-1-1 is a 24 hour anonymous and confidential service answered by a live person, making the response personal.
Every crisis is different. The number is easy outlet for anyone in need who seems overwhelmed by external or internal forces stemming from anything such as death of a loved one, divorce, neglect, depression, broken relationships, bad day at work or school or even if they just need someone to talk to. Crisis 2-1-1 staff are trained specialists who can quickly assess the callers’ needs and refer them to the help they seek.
Crisis 2-1-1 has joined forces with the Montgomery, Stewart and Houston counties school systems to provide a quick and easy hotline for students. The students are able to anonymously report gangs in school, drugs, guns, bullies or any other type of violence. The 2-1-1 hotline also deals with the emotional aspect of school. This includes: suicide, depression, and relationships with parents, siblings or friends. Since this hotline is confidential and anonymous, it provides a place where students can have someone to listen to them. When regarding violence, guns, gangs, or other dangerous issues at school, the hotline will call the School Resource Officer in that school to report the problem. The crisis center also is a resource for teen suicide. It can provide help to the students who might be suicidal, but can also help family and friends with identifying whether or not a particular student has suicidal tendencies. All of this is available 24 hours a day and is confidential and anonymous.
Not only does Crisis 2-1-1 serve as a crisis call line and school safety hotline, but they also have the ability to qualify community members for food stamps. Anyone in need of food stamps can simply dial those three digits, find out if they qualify, for how much and are then provided the phone number to apply for that service. Since Crisis 2-1-1 is anonymous, any worry about identity theft is removed.
“Without the support from the community, volunteers and the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region, we would not be able to provide this invaluable service to our neighbors. When someone needs a crisis intervention, we are there to listen and care,” says Terrie Williams, Executive Director for Crisis 2-1-1. Williams has been with the Crisis 2-1-1 (formerly the Crisis Intervention Center) since its origination 22 years ago.
Anyone needing information concerning utility assistance, food banks, counseling, employment, support groups, clubs, and more are welcome to dial 2-1-1.
Since 2-1-1 took its first call in March 1997, the use of 2-1-1 has become nation wide. The number is helping people and families in need feel like they have a safe, confidential place to call. The hotline was established by the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta to make calling for a non life threatening crisis easy and since then, have helped people in need for 21 years.
So when adding the 9-1-1 and 4-1-1 numbers to your personal and family directories, as well as your refrigerator, please do not forget to add 2-1-1. This crisis hotline number is here for you. No matter where you are or what you need, 2-1-1 is there to help for free from any phone.
Crisis 2-1-1 is one of the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region’s 32 partner agencies and 501 ( c ) 3 organization. All funding is decided on a year-to year basis by volunteers after a thorough review of their financials and services. For more information about how you can help your community become a better place, please visit liveunitedclarksville.org.
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