Mental Health Crisis

A mental health crisis is an intensive behavioral, emotional, or psychiatric response, typically triggered by a precipitating event, which causes one’s usual coping strategies or problem-solving skills to be overwhelmed.

The goal of crisis intervention is to ultimately stabilize the immediate situation, provide support and facilitate understanding.   

Mental health crises can include:

• Suicidal thinking, intentions, gestures
• Psychotic episodes (loss of reality, delusions, hallucinations)
• Other behavior that seems out of control or irrational and that is likely to endanger oneself or others 

Our Program 

Thrive has had an established co-response crisis model since the 1970s, working alongside the Oak Park and River Forest Police Departments to decriminalize mental health. Thrive’s crisis team is available 24/7/365 to provide crisis phone support to anyone who calls, and in-person support anywhere within Oak Park and River Forest. Additionally, Thrive welcomes walk-in crisis support at our clinic during business hours Monday through Friday.

Our team includes Engagement Specialists, individuals with personal experience having a mental illness or substance use disorder. These peers are trained as Certified Recovery Support Specialists and support mental health clinicians on crisis calls. 

Thrive’s Crisis Program is certified by the State of Illinois and partners with the state to provide an alternative to traditional emergency response through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. When a community member calls 988 and an in-person mental health crisis assessment is needed, 988 may refer the individual to Thrive’s Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT). Thrive currently serves residents of Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park through this 988 referral process.