Crisis Services

BHSB is leading efforts to strengthen and expand crisis response services in Central Maryland.  We collaborate with partners to launch new services and improve access to emergency emotional support for people experiencing a mental health crisis.

CALL 988 Helpline:

When life gets tough, it can feel overwhelming. But it can get better. CALL 988 offers high- quality emergency emotional support to residents in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County, and Carroll County.

If you need immediate emotional support for yourself or someone else, Call 988 to connect to a counselor who can help. Our specialists provide confidential care 24/7. Because we all need help sometimes.

Learn more about CALL 988.

 

Central Maryland Crisis Response System:

BHSB serves as the anchor organization for the Central Maryland Crisis Response System, a network supported by the Greater Baltimore Regional Integrated Crisis System (GBRICS) Partnership project. The project is a collaborative effort investing $45 million over five years to transform behavioral health crisis response services in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County and Howard County.

The GBRICS Partnership project is working to expand the capacity of the 988 Helpline, mobile crisis teams and community-based providers to reduce police interaction and overreliance on emergency departments for people in crisis. 

Learn more about the Central Maryland Crisis Response System.

911 Diversion Program:

Too often, people experiencing a mental health crisis call 911 for help. But police may not always be well-equipped to help with a behavioral health emergency. To address that, BHSB worked closely with Baltimore City on a 911 Diversion Program to redirect certain 911 calls to the 988 Helpline. 

The 911 Diversion program is helping people get the mental health support they need:

  • 643 callers to 911 were reconnected to the 988 hotline in the program’s first 17 months
  • 62 callers were helped by the mobile crisis unit 
  • 372 hours saved by Baltimore Police and Fire Departments

Learn more at Baltimore City’s 911 Diversion Dashboard 

 

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion LEAD

LEAD is a pre-booking diversion program that allows law enforcement to connect eligible participants with intensive case management and divert them away from the criminal justice system. The LEAD program currently operates in the Baltimore City Central Police District. 

Instead of arrest and prosecution, LEAD participants are linked to trauma-informed intensive case management. LEAD case managers and peer recovery specialists work with participants to connect them to a wide range of support services, including substance use disorder treatment.  

To learn more about LEAD and how to get connected:

 

Maryland Crisis Stabilization Center

The Maryland Crisis Stabilization Center (A link to a .pdf is present) is a place for people under the influence of alcohol or drugs to get sobering services and other support. All services are free and available 24/7. No insurance required. Now accepting referrals from a variety of providers, hospitals, and walk ins. 

They accept walk-ins at 2700 Raynor Ave, Baltimore, MD 21216. Call 443-438-3509 to learn more.