Helping Hands: Crisis Walk In Center serves those in need of help

The Crisis Walk In Center (CWIC) is located in Victorville, but is available to all of us living in San Bernardino County. It began in Victorville in September 2007, but I just recently learned about it. They help people with mental impairments to realize their full potential. Treatment and support is provided to adults who have mental health needs that just can’t wait. Assessments and referrals may be provided for adolescents under 18.

CWIC is a safe, respectful environment where people in crisis can receive mental health services 24-hours-day, 7-days-a-week. It is located at 16460 Victor St., Victorville, CA 92345. It is a voluntary program. People may leave any time they choose.

What is mental distress? That’s a good question. The following quote comes from a CWIC flyer.

“It can be caused by any number of things: depression, anger, loss, stress at work, personal/family crisis, difficulty managing medications or resulting from symptoms of mental illness, etc. In many cases a person experiencing distress can feel highly scared, anxious, upset, grief stricken, or agitated. The CWIC helps people who are feeling distress so they can deal with these issues before they get out of hand. The program also helps people avoid the need for emergency psychiatric services and unnecessary contacts with law enforcement.”

Services at CWIC include:
• Rapid access to psychiatrists, nurse and licensed clinical staff
• Mental health services are available at all times
• Intensive assessment and medication evaluation
• Problem resolving assistance
• Supportive counseling
• Appropriate linkage with community supports and services to assist people in addressing their needs
• Follow up visits and/or contacts

Other services provided:
• Food
• A place to sleep (people may stay at CWIC for up to 23 hours and 59 minutes)
• Assistance in deciding if a person should come to CWIC or go to local ER

The program is funded by the Mental Health Services Act through the San Bernardino County Dept. of Behavioral Health which is under contract with the Telecare Corporation.

Telecare is a family-owned and employee-owned company that has been treating individuals with serious mental illness since 1965. They specialize in innovative, outcomes-driven services for high-risk individuals with complex needs. Programs are recovery-focused and clinically effective and are designed in partnership with local, county, state and other behavioral health organizations. They currently provide service to California and three other states (North Carolina, Oregon, Texas) and have over 1,900 employees.

I am pleased to share this information with those who haven’t heard of it so we are able to let others know this service available and without charge for all San Bernardino County residents. There is also a limited fund to help with transportation to CWIC in Victorville if one is unable to provide that.

For additional information contact CWIC at 245-8837 or FAX 245-8854.

ABOUT THE WRITER:
Helen Bendure is a correspondent for the Desert Dispatch She can be contacted at rimrock83@aol.com