Crisis line making critical connections

SANDPOINT -- Three months into a six-month stint, North Idaho Crisis Services' after-hours crisis line has been getting its feet wet providing assistance to a variety of callers.

"Sometimes it's a person calling for themselves; sometimes it's a family member," said Catherine Perusse, program coordinator and mental health professional. "It is a pilot project, and we're hoping we can sustain it."

"North Idaho Crisis after-hours crisis line ... often serves as the first point of contact for individuals who are seeking, help, support and information," according to the organization's Facebook page. It is free to call at 208-946-5595.

The idea behind establishing an after-hours service is to provide immediate mental health help when other resources are closed. The North Idaho Crisis after-hours line is open for calls from 5 p.m. until 8 a.m. Monday through Friday and all weekend long, according to the organization.

A locally-based crisis line benefits Bonner and Boundary county residents by providing local referrals and information that a state or national crisis center cannot.

"For example, we know who can do Medicare or who in the area has training in a specific modality," said Perusse. 

Another significant difference between more widely based crisis hotlines and the local North Idaho line is staffing. Trained volunteers are the first contacts clients make at many call-in services, whereas local mental health professionals answer every call on the after-hours line, said Perusse. Professionals have the expertise to evaluate situations on a case-by-case basis. They work 15-hour shifts for minimum wage.

So far, the North Idaho Crisis Services has assisted 40 callers. Some were looking for mental health resources, and others sought help coping with family members, she said. 

"We have been able to work with law enforcement several times with transportation down to the crisis center in Coeur d'Alene," Perusse said.

The National Alliance for Mental Illness Far North provided funding to support the after-hours crisis line for the first six months. Perusse and NAMI Far North administrator Ann Wimberly are writing grants and contacting local organizations in the search for continued support.

"We are trying to hit every organization that can help with the funding issue," said Perusse. "I was feeling really confident when we had six months of funding, but now, three months into it, I'm not so confident."

She and other members of the organization have aspirations for building the project in the future to better serve the community. For starters, they would like to offer the service 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

"I have all kinds of dreams for down the road, such as a crisis center here," she said. "People here are really struggling with very few resources."

At present, North Idaho Crisis Services has a critical need for help with website development as well as funding. The organization has a domain name, but needs expert assistance with design and content.

For more information or to volunteer time, contact Catherine Perusse at 208-290-6161 or email northidahocrisis@gmail.com.