Mental Health Resources In Johnson County Overland Park
Are you looking for effective therapy in Overland Park? Reach out to Caryn Hess today.
In the Overland Park area, we have access to many organizations we can use to educate ourselves and access valuable services we may need for mental health, crisis, addictions, and more. It is important to take advantage of the many resources we have for our own and our childrens health. Below you will find links to organizations and services provided. Please do not struggle alone if you need help.
Caryn Hess was interviewed for an article about empty nesting in the July 2020 edition of the SIMPLYkc Magazine. Read more here.
Facing A Mental Health Crisis
If you or someone you know are faced with a mental health crisis, please call the crisis hotline of the local mental health or local behavioral health authority for your county. You may find this number by using the online mental health services search form or by calling one of the numbers below.
Crisis services are available 24 hours/7 days a week and include prompt face-to-face crisis assessment, crisis intervention services, crisis follow-up and relapse prevention services. The HHSC Crisis Services Guide has information on various state-funded crisis services and organizations that can help connect people to resources.
Johnson County Crisis Line
If you are suicidal or otherwise in crisis and need to speak with someone immediately, contact any of these free, confidential crisis counseling services where you can talk about whatevers on your mind in a safe, non-judgmental environment:
- The Crisis Centers crisis line is a 24-hour hotline for anyone who is going through emotional distress or is in suicidal crisis. The Crisis Center is staffed by trained volunteer peer crisis counselors ready to talk to you about whatever you define as a crisis.
- Chat at IowaCrisisChat.org. IowaCrisisChat.org is a program of The Crisis Center of Johnson County, Iowa offering online emotional support and referrals. The Crisis Center is staffed by trained volunteer peer crisis counselors ready to chat with you about whatever you define as a crisis.
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How Much Will It Cost Me
We offer a sliding fee scale for Johnson County residents. Before your first appointment we will determine your fee based on household income, family size, and financial obligations. Please bring in proof of residency and any income information you have to assist in setting this fee during your first appointment.
Johnson County Adds 4 Crisis Call Specialists To Help Staff 988 Suicide Prevention Line

Starting July 16, Johnson Countians can dial 988 to access the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, which locally will be manned by crisis specialists at the Johnson County Mental Health Center. Image from joco.gov
Johnson Countys mental health crisis response team is growing by four positions.
Whats happening: At last weeks meeting, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners approved the addition of four full-time crisis call specialist positions to the Johnson County Mental Health Center.
- The new positions are funded through a grant from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.
What would they do? The crisis call specialists will answer calls to the Johnson County Crisis Line and the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
- The specialists are expected to provide a range of services over the phone, including counseling, mental health screenings and referrals to resources.
How do you reach these lines? The Johnson County Crisis Line is already reachable at 913-268-0156.
- The National Suicide Prevention Line is currently reachable at 800-273-8255, but in July, callers nationwide will be able to reach it simply by dialing 988.
- Both Johnson Countys Crisis Lin and the National Suicide Prevention Line are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Why it matters: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is in the process of transitioning to 988, which goes into effect on July 16.
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What Are The Criteria For Commitment
The criteria are as follows:
- HARM TO SELF: A substantial risk of serious harm indicated by threats or attempts to commit suicide or inflict physical harm on one’s self.
- HARM TO OTHERS: Behavior that has caused harm or places others in reasonable fear of sustaining harm. Can be written, verbal or actual assaultive acts.
- PROPERTY DAMAGE: Behavior that has caused substantial loss or damage to the property of others.
- GRAVELY DISABLED: Behavior that results in the individual being in danger of serious physical harm resulting from the failure to provide for his/her needs of health and safety or, the individual has shown a deterioration in routine functioning which is evidenced by a repeated and escalating loss over his/her actions and is not receiving necessary care for health and safety needs.
Washington Recovery Help Line: 1
If you or a family member has a problem with a substance use disorder, please consider calling the Washington Recovery Help Line. This an anonymous and confidential help line that provides crisis intervention and referral services for individuals in Washington State. Professionally trained volunteers and staff are available to provide emotional support 24-hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, they can suggest local treatment resources for substance use, problem gambling, and mental health, as well as to other community services.
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Team Leader Johnson County Mental Health
by Kay Swietek | Sep 20, 2022
- Posted 2 months ago
Johnson County Mental Health Center is looking for a qualified candidate to lead our 988 Crisis Team. JCMHC has supported a 24/7 crisis line for over 30 years and recently became a member of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline Network. The intent for the three-digit 988 number is to provide local phone support and intervention for people suffering from a mental health or suicidal crisis. The goals of the program are to prevent suicide, divert individuals from hospitals and law enforcement contact, and support individuals in navigating resources to meet their needs. The 988 Crisis Team has a combination of case management and clinician level staff. The Team Leader will be part of the Emergency Services Division within JCMHC. Our division prides itself in embracing innovative approaches to provide the right service at the right time for those experiencing a behavioral health crisis in Johnson County. In addition, Johnson County is taking an innovative approach with this team by embedding the 988 Crisis Team within Johnson Countys 911 dispatch center. Aside from technology and care coordination advantages, the collaboration with 911 dispatch will provide us the opportunity to divert fire, paramedic and law enforcement from unnecessary responses. See link below for more information and how to apply.
How Is An Individual Determined To Meet Involuntary Treatment
A person will be determined to meet involuntary treatment under RCW 71.05 if they are a danger to self, others or property because of a behavioral health crisis.
After the person is determined to meet criteria and refuses to access voluntary services, they may be transported from the scene to an Evaluation and Treatment facility or a Secure Withdrawal Management and Stabilization facility . E& Ts provide mental health specific treatment and SWMS provide substance use specific treatment.
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Immediate Help For Those In Crisis
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 911.
If you are not in immediate danger but you need to talk to someone about suicidal thoughts and feelings please call one of the numbers below:
- Overland Park Mental Health Services and Crisis Intervention Assisting in helping calming individuals who are in distress and assessing the need for immediate mental health services. Crisis Intervention Team 913-890-1CIT
Experts Say It’s Natural To Feel Down Or Stressed With So Much Uncertainty
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Experts say it’s natural to feel down or stressed with so much uncertainty
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Experts say it’s natural to feel down or stressed with so much uncertainty
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SHAWNEE, Kan.
As COVID-19 cases are rising again and mandates are coming back, mental health experts are seeing the impact. At Johnson County Mental Health, calls to the crisis line are climbing and there are specific areas of concern.
Throughout the pandemic, we’ve all had to deal with change. That, alone, can be stressful. Just when you thought things were getting back to the way they were, we’re facing a whole new round of mandates and testing protocols.
“The best analogy I can say is it’s a kind of a gut punch. When you think things are going well and then, you know, all of a sudden to have this, this left hook out of, you know, out of the air that you weren’t expecting,” said Tim DeWeese, the Johnson County Mental Health director.
DeWeese said he works with a lot of young people and says he’s impressed with the way most are learning to cope with the pandemic. He is not so impressed with the way some adults are approaching things and said we need to have more understanding and focus on the greater good. Our children are watching.
“The amount that we see in the disagreement and things like that, it just increases everybody’s stress level, everybody’s frustration, and that’s worrisome, from a mental health perspective,” he said.
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Crisis And Commitment Services
King County Crisis and Commitment Services offers evaluation of people with behavioral health disorders for involuntary detention in psychiatric and secure withdrawal facilities according to the State of Washington law. The law for adults is RCW 71.05. For youth 13 through 17 years of age the law is RCW 71.34.
Crisis and Commitment staff who perform these duties are referred to as Designated Crisis Responders They are mental health professionals who are specially trained to conduct a holistic investigation of risk and to treat the person in need with dignity and respect during their time of Crisis.
Crisis and Commitment Services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Fax: 206-296-0582
Where Does A Detained Patient Go

The person will first be medically examined by a community emergency department. After medical clearance, the DCR and hospital social worker will facilitate transfer to an Evaluation and Treatment Hospital . If the patient has certain medical challenges or has special needs, they may be held temporarily at the community hospital until those needs are stabilized.
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What Is The Involuntary Treatment Act
The Involuntary Treatment Act is designed to support individuals who are experiencing a Mental Health or Substance Use crisis. This means the individual may be a harm to themselves or others due to an issue they are facing in their life. A crisis is a serious event that may require professional intervention and treatment to help the person and those around them. Washington State is dedicated to providing high quality services to each individual and the community. The public plays a key role in communicating the needs of themselves and their loved ones while a person is in crisis.
Need Immediate Help In An Emergency
If you or a loved one is in immediate danger calling 911 and talking with police may be necessary. It is important to notify the operator that it is a psychiatric emergency and ask for police officers trained in crisis intervention or trained to assist people experiencing a psychiatric emergency.
Connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message.
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Do You Or Someone You Know Need Help With A Crisis
Anyone may request crisis or emergency services in North Carolina for mental health, substance abuse, intellectual and developmental disabilities issues.
- Find help for a mental health and substance use crisis in your county.
- If this is a medical or a life-threatening emergency please call 911.
- If you need to contact the police, request a Crisis Intervention Team officer.
If you or someone you know is at risk or contemplating suicide, seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional or by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK * or chat at SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.*Press 1 for Veterans or military members.
Behavioral Health Urgent Care sites provide immediate care to adults, adolescents or families in crisis.
Care may include:
- Assessment and diagnosis for mental illness, substance abuse and intellectual and developmental disability issues
- Planning and referral for future treatment
- Medication management
- Outpatient treatment
- Short-term follow-up care
Until the consumer is established with a local clinical provider, they may return to the community from a state psychiatric hospital or alcohol and drug abuse treatment center.
What Kind Of Therapy Do You Provide
We offer a wide range of both individual and group therapy services including CBT, DBT, EMDR, etc. All therapy services are provided with using a solution focused brief therapy framework. Therapy services are targeted towards an identified goal and to get you to where you have the skills needed to handle similar issues on your own without the need for mental health services.
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How Does A Person Get Detained
Initial referral can be from anyone, such as the police, family, a neighbor, a landlord, the hospital emergency room or hospital in-patient unit. The DCR interviews the person making the referral, takes a statement and gathers all pertinent information. The person referred is evaluated by the DCR, who determines whether there are appropriate alternatives to hospitalization, and whether the person would accept voluntary hospitalization. If neither are an option and the person meets the terms of the statute, the DCR will detain the person.
Johnson County Mental Health Center Begins Transition To New Suicide Prevention Hotline
The Johnson County Mental Health Center is preparing for a transition to a new 988 national suicide prevention hotline. Efforts include putting together a new crisis team of mental health specialists. Photo courtesy Johnson County Government.
Starting next weekend, Johnson Countians seeking mental health assistance can dial 988 and connect to local crisis call centers.
Whats changing? On July 16, the National Suicide Prevention Line that directs to local crisis call centers will be reachable at 988.
- The switch to the new three-digit number was federally approved in July 2020, establishing a new 911 for mental health.
- Mental health center officials noted that anyone who has a medical emergency should still call 911.
- Gov. Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 19 into law in June, establishing the implementation of the 988 line in Kansas.
What does it mean for Johnson County? The transition will mean an increase in resources at the Johnson County Mental Health Center.
- The county has been putting together a 988 Crisis Team to respond to calls to the hotline.
- The team will consist of two licensed clinicians and some part-time support, as well as 10 crisis call specialists which moved forward when the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners approved the hiring of four of them last month.
Can people still call the local hotline? The existing crisis line for the center is still accessible at 268-0156.
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What Happens If You Call A Crisis Line
Once you have called a crisis line, this is what will happen next:
Counselors Are Here For Students

NWCCD counselors offer dozens of outreach events to students throughout the year, actively engaging them through student events and activities. Individually, counselors focus on short-term treatment directed at helping students function in the college environment.
Students are encouraged to meet with counselors for consultation, crisis intervention, and/or help with academic or interpersonal concerns. Students and their counselors will determine the best approach for you. Counselors work with students to accommodate busy schedules. If the student requires additional and/or intensive services, the counselor will work with the student to connect with agencies in the surrounding community for services.
Sheridan College CampusCoordinator of Counseling & ADA Services1 Whitney Way
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Mental Health Crisis Lines
The mental health crisis lines listed below are available for all people in Washington regardless of your income or whether you have insurance or not.
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For immediate help: call 911 for a life-threatening emergency or 988 for a mental health emergency.
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For immediate help with a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide: contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 or call or text 988.
If You Are In Crisis:
if the situation is life threatening or if it looks like someone may get hurt.
If there is no immediate physical danger, call Crisis Connections at or , or visit www.CrisisConnections.org.
Crisis Connections can help link you to available and appropriate resources their services lines are available 24/7, 365.
The new 988 line replaced the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, starting .
If you or a loved one is actively experiencing a behavioral health crisis, King County still recommends that you call the King County Regional Crisis Line at Crisis Connections at or , or visit www.CrisisConnections.org. Crisis Connections is the best way to connect to local crisis response services.
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