HUNTSVILLE, Ala — One group that connects people with mental health resources all across the valley says Huntsville is falling short when it comes to group homes.
NAMI Huntsville is working on a project compiling a list of group homes and other resources in Huntsville for NAMI Alabama. NAMI Huntsville employees say they notice the shortage every time someone calls looking to be connected to a home or transitional support housing.
We spoke with Mark Prescott of NAMI Huntsville. Prescott is a Certified Peer Specialist with the organization and is one of the first voices callers hear when they need assistance from NAMI. He tells our reporter that mental health options aren't proportionate to the city's size. Prescott says, “We’re a large city and we don’t have enough beds in the hospitals to cover the people that are in our area. It’s very frustrating because you want to help this person but there are no resources.”
NAMI Huntsville will be sending the list off in the next week and hope it could lead to more resources in the future.
Click here to connect with NAMI Huntsville.
Local and national help is available for people struggling with mental health issues or who may be contemplating suicide. If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, help is available by phone, text, or chat.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-8255 1-800-273-TALK
Free, confidential crisis counseling 24/7/365. You don’t have to be suicidal to call.
Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio 888-628-9454
Veterans Crisis Line 800-273-8255 or text 838255
Options for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing 800-799-4889
Disaster Distress Helpline 800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
Crisis Services North Alabama 256-716-1000 or 1-800-691-8426
National Alliance on Mental Illness 800-950-NAMI or text NAMI to 741741
BoysTown National Hotline 800-448-3000 Spanish and 140 other languages available
BoysTown National Hotline TTD 800-448-1833
TrevorLifeline 866-488-7386 staffed 24/7
TrevorChat Click here for online instant messaging with a TrevorChat counselor, 7 days a week, 3pm-10pm EST
TrevorText Text TREVOR to 202-304-1200 7 days a week, 3pm-10pm EST
ImAlive.org 800-SUICIDE or Click here to Chat Now