Citation

Stuth MJ. Crisis Interv. 1970; 2(2): 31-35.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1970, Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In late 1966 a group of concerned citizens of Corpus Christi, Texas met to discuss the possibility of a 24-hour mental health, crisis intervention service. No agency was providing this service, and the need for it was generally recognized in the community. Of particular interest was prevention of suicides by intervening in crisis situations which might otherwise lead to suicide. A committee was formed, and a local church paid the expenses of a group of personnel from another such agency in the state to come and share their experiences in opening a center. Local mental health agencies were consulted, as well as individual psychiatrists, psychologists and psychiatric social workers. With the assistance of these professionals, an organization was formed, which recruited, screened and trained its first group of volunteers. Enough money was raised to pay the phone bill and rent, and advertisements were placed in local newspapers and over radio and television. Suicide Prevention, Inc., began its operation on February 10, 1967.

Until the end of the third year there was no payroll. From the professional who administered psychological tests, screened and trained telephone workers and provided consultation, to the clerical workers, everyone in SPI was a volunteer. Funding was extremely limited and was entirely obtained from private sources until 1969, when SPI became a United Fund agency was able to hire a part time secretary. In late 1969 the name of the agency was changed to Suicide Prevention-Crisis Service to more clearly identify the actual work of the agency. At present, SP-CS is receiving only limited funding from United Fund and the only paid staff remains a part time secretary.

SP-CS is the only 24 hour Mental Health service agency in South Texas. Cooperation is close with all other mental health agencies as well as with many other types of agencies. Our main role is to serve as the "bridge" between the troubled caller and the agency or resource which can help him. Staff volunteers are trained to make a realistic appraisal of the needs of the individual who calls and the extent to which he is able to respond to community resources. When resources are available, the staff volunteer completes an effective transfer of the caller to the most suitable resource. In some instances, the telephone contact with the staff volunteer is sufficient to alleviate the caller's anxiety and no transfer is necessary...

Language: en