Home : Emergency and Community Resources
Crises arise at all times of day and night. Your therapist probably has a way of being contacted after office hours and s/he likely has an agreement with another local therapist to cover urgent issues when away on vacation. It is a good idea to discuss this with your therapist and know for certain his or her policy and availability.
If for any reason, however, you are contemplating harm to yourself or to someone else and you are not able to reach your therapist by phone, you should not hesitate to contact your local crisis center and/or the nearest hospital. Please click on the underlined links for additional information.
9-1-1 
If ever you find that your life is threatened, or if you have found someone else who's life appears in imminent danger, do not hesitate to call 9-1-1. Be advised, however, that 9-1-1 calls are always taken seriously. You can expect emergency services -- the Police, the Fire Department, or a local Emergency Medical Service -- to be dispatched when you call 9-1-1.
Urgent Care Resources
If you are not able to reach your therapist or the "on-call person" by phone or pager, and you are unsure about your own safety or the safety of another person, please call your local crisis center. Be prepared to explain who you are and what your particular crisis situation is and know that from a crisis center, emergency services may be dispatched to your address. The following numbers are staffed 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.
In Salem, the number to call is 503.585.4949
In Portland, the number to call is 503.988.4888
Deaf and hard of hearing clients using a TTY can TTY the Portland Crisis line directly at 503.988.5866.
You may also go to the nearest emergency room. You should know, however, that emergency rooms receive all types of emergencies and they can be an uncomfortable place to be. Nonetheless, if you feel your safety is questionable, or if you are contemplating suicide or homicide, the emergency room is the place to go. Take along your therapist's business card and/or their number and allow the hospital staff to contact them. This may require your signature on a Release of Information, but it could assist the hospital with your care
Non-emergency Resources
- ACOA -- a free social support group for Adult Children of Alcoholics: (503) 223-8314 (National Website)
- Alcohol and Drug Help Line -- a telephone referral source:
(503) 244-1312
- Care Services Options -- a referral line for help with Assisted Living for the elderly: (503) 246-8604
- CARES NW -- assessment and early intervention for sexual abuse:
(503) 280-4943
- Cascade AIDS Project -- information, referral, testing and help:
(503) 223-5907 (Website)
- United Way -- a referral line for all sorts of mental health businesses: (503) 222-5555 (Website)
Additional Resources:
- Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters
For referral to local Al-Anon and Alateen groups, contact: 1600 Corporate Landing Pkwy, Virginia Beach, VA, 23454-5617, tele 800/714-7498 or on the web at www.al-anon.alateen.org
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) World Services
For local AA groups and materials on AA Programs, contact: 475 Riverside Dr., 11th Fl, NY, NY 10115, tele 212/870-3400 or on the web.
- American Psychiatric Association
For referrals to psychiatrists in your area: APA Public Affairs, Ste., 501, 1400 K St., NW, Washington, DC 20005, tele 202/682-6220 or on the web at www.psych.org
- American Psychological Association
For referrals to psychologists in your area: 750 First St., NE, Washington, DC 20002, tele 202/336-5800 or on the web.
- Anxiety Disorders Association of America
For a list of mental health professionals who treat anxiety disorders and for self-help groups in your area (include $3 for postage and handling) contact: 11900 Parklawn Dr, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 28052-2624, tele 301/231-9350 or on the web at www.adaa.org
- Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy
For a list of mental health professionals in your state who practice behavior therapy and/or cognitive behavior therapy, of for "Guidelines for Choosing a Behavior Therapist" (include $5 for postage and handling) contact: 305 7th Ave., 16th Floor, NY, NY, 10001, tele 212-647-1890
- Freedom From Fear
Newsletter on anxiety disorders and a referral list of treatment specialists contact: 306 Seaview Ave, Staten Island, NY 10305, tele 718/351-1717 or on the web at www.freedomfromfear.org
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
For referrals to self-help groups and phone numbers of state and regional chapters and affiliates, contact: 200 N. Blebe Rd, Ste 1015, Arlington, VA 22001, tele 800/950-NAMI or on the web at www.nami.org
- National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD)
For educational material and telephone numbers of local affiliations, contact: 121 West 21 St., NY, NY 10010, tele 800/NCA-CALL or on the web at www.ncadd.org
- National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association
For a list of support groups in your area: 730 N. Franklin, Suite 501, Chicago, IL, 60610, 800/826-3632 or on the web at www.ndmda.org
- National Mental Health Association
For organizations in your area who provide resources and information on self-help groups, treatment professionals, and community clinics (include $1 for postage and handling): 1021 Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314, tele 800/969-NMHA or on the web at www.nmha.org
- Obsessive Compulsive Foundation
For a list of mental health professionals in your area who specialize in treating OCD, contact: 9 Depot St., Milford, CT 06460, tele 203/878-5669
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