The past year has brought up many emotions, from confusion to worry to anger to sadness. It’s taken a toll on people’s mental health, too: around four in 10 adults in the United States have reported symptoms of anxiety or depression during the coronavirus pandemic.
During May, we recognize the growing importance of mental health, as it’s Mental Health Awareness Month. If you’re one of the millions of Americans who live with a mental illness, you don’t have to struggle alone. Being open about how you’re feeling is a key first step, and it helps fight mental health stigmas.
If you’re suffering from mental health issues, there is help, and it’s available in your own community. This includes services from the Overland Park Police Department, Johnson County and a variety of mental health organizations. Learn more about what we’re doing to address mental health needs and what local resources you have access to.
Overland Park Police Department
The Overland Park Police Department has taken several steps to address mental health needs in Overland Park, including during calls for service.
The police department has a crisis intervention team to reach out to people suffering from mental health issues and respond to crisis situations. If it’s not an emergency, you can contact the Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team at 913-890-1248. For emergencies please use 911 and request a CIT Officer to respond.
When mental health support is needed, a licensed mental health professional responds (when available) to calls for service along with police officers. They can assist with calming someone who is in distress, assess the need for immediate mental health service, and direct them and their family to available mental health resources.
Mental Health Task Force
The City established a mental health task force last year to address mental health needs in Overland Park. The task force assesses mental health services and resources available in our community, making recommendations for education, services, policies and more so we can best support residents.
The mental health task force recently made recommendations to Overland Park’s City Council to expand access to mental health resources in our community and beyond. Read the recommendations and hear the discussion from Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting.
Johnson County Mental Health Center
The Johnson County Mental Health Center provides mental health services to residents of Johnson County, with locations in Mission, Shawnee and Olathe. This includes 24-hour emergency services for those with immediate mental health needs, as well as mental health, substance abuse, psychiatric medication and other services. The Johnson County Mental Health Center Crisis Line is open 24 hours a day at 913-268-0156.
Staff produce a Mental Health Moments e-newsletter, sending positivity straight to your inbox. They also produce the It’s Okay If You’re Not Okay podcast, with special episodes on self-care during the pandemic.
Other mental health resources
Rainbow Services. Inc. (RSI) provides 24-hour assessment and triage for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Its services are available to residents of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties. You can reach RSI at 913-956-5620.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a federal agency that provides mental health guidance and resources in the United States. You can find treatment for substance abuse and serious mental health disorders, and access a national helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is a federal agency that researches mental disorders. NIMH has information and statistics on anxiety, depression, suicide prevention and other mental health topics, and can also direct you to mental health resources.
Are you experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress? Please call SAMHSA’s National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to speak with someone live at 1-800-273-8255.