Crisis Prevention and Response System

A crisis occurs when an individual presents with a sudden, unanticipated, or potentially dangerous behavioral health condition, episode or behavior. Crisis intervention services are provided to stabilize or prevent an escalation of crisis, determine the needed services, and assist the individual in receiving the least restrictive, most effective treatment available.

Kentucky’s 14 regional community mental health centers (CMHCs) provide services for individuals experiencing an intellectual/developmental disability-related crisis or behavioral health crisis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and may be contacted by calling 988 or the community mental health center's crisis hotline.

Kentuckians experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis can call, chat or text with a trained crisis counselor through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This free, confidential, and anonymous service is available 24/7. Individuals can call or text 988 or can chat by visiting https://988lifeline.org/chat/ to speak with a trained crisis counselor for emotional support and connection to local mental health, substance use, and community resources. Information on Kentucky’s 988 system can be found by visiting https://988.ky.gov/.

Residential Crisis Stabilization Units
Residential crisis stabilization services are provided in Residential Crisis Stabilization Units (RCSUs). These short-term residential services are provided to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis who need extended care but do not need hospitalization.

RCSUs provide crisis screening, assessment, and stabilization interventions. Services may also include developing a crisis plan, individual, group, and family therapy, psychoeducation, stabilization of withdrawal management symptoms, medication management with extended on-site monitoring, care coordination, and peer support.

Kentucky Civil Commitment Laws

In every state in the U.S., including Kentucky, there are laws known as civil commitment laws (or involuntary commitment laws) that dictate how individuals with mental illness, substance use disorder, or intellectual disability who pose a risk to themselves or others can be detained and treated. Below are the links to Kentucky's laws that concerned individuals or family members can use to start the commitment process for individuals in crisis who pose a risk to themselves or others and who are unlikely or unable to seek help voluntarily.

Walk-In Crisis Intervention

Kentucky Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) provide walk-in crisis services at many clinic locations. Contact your local CMHC Crisis Line to find a walk-in location near you.

Mobile Crisis Services

Mobile crisis teams provide assessment, intervention, referral, and follow-up services to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis at their home, job, or other community locations. Mobile crisis teams may be available in your area. Contact your local CMHC Crisis Line to learn more.

Individuals with a diagnosis of intellectual or developmental disability may also receive additional emergency services to provide the support needed to remain in the community. Individuals not experiencing a crisis but seeking to apply for or be connected to services may contact their corresponding Community Mental Health/Intellectual Disability Center (CMHC).