OAKTON, Va. (February 14, 2022)—PRS, a behavioral health nonprofit serving Northern Virginia, will now operate as the Regional Crisis Call Center for most of Virginia. Through its CrisisLink program, PRS has operated the mental health crisis hotline, textline and chat for Northern Virginia. The expansion is part of a state-wide transformation of crisis services to ensure a rapid response by those trained for these situations to increase the safety for community members facing behavioral health emergencies.

“To address the heightened demand for crisis services, the state and nation are consolidating and improving services through technology, training and increased collaboration. We are well positioned to adapt to the variety of upcoming changes while providing critical crisis services to more Virginians,” explained Joseph Getch, CEO, PRS. “Staffing our call center team is a top priority so that we can ensure trained crisis workers are always available to listen and connect those in need to available resources quickly and efficiently.”

Although PRS was already a provider of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) in Virginia, PRS will now answer crisis calls in four of the five of the state’s health planning regions —specifically Regions 1, 2, 4, and 5. (See attached map for region breakout.)  If someone in crisis reaches out, PRS trained crisis workers will evaluate their call, help deescalate the crisis when possible, and work collaboratively with Community Services Boards, private providers and 911 centers to connect individuals to appropriate services. This effort is an important integration of public and private resources to ensure those reaching out for help are receiving comprehensive crisis services regardless of where they live within the state.

The centralization of call centers and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is part of the state’s efforts to implement a complex system change to enhance the crisis system and add resources to serve those who need it most. In addition, the centralization addresses process enhancements related to the Marcus Alert—a statewide framework intended to improve the response to mental and behavioral health crises in Virginia, and the July 2022 adoption of the national 988 number, a new 3-digit phone number to connect people with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors. PRS met the criteria to implement 988 as a call center since it is already part of the NSPL network.

PRS’ CrisisLink program extends beyond Virginia into the national network of highly qualified providers. CrisisLink is a National Back Up Center and Core Chat Center which answers overflow calls and chats from around the nation. PRS works collaboratively with the NSPL network to help address the unmet need as the demand continues to grow for mental health supports, especially in the wake of the COVID pandemic.

In an average month, PRS receives about 11-12,000 calls, 4,500 of those from Northern Virginia and the rest from all over the nation, and more than 3,000 chats and texts.  With the addition of most of Virginia, PRS expects call volume to grow significantly, particularly after the 988 number becomes operational. PRS’ CrisisLink call center operates with approximately 120 staff and 50-70 volunteers.

At the start of the pandemic, CrisisLink transitioned its team to a virtual workforce. Remote shifts are available around the clock, with the greatest need in the evening and overnight. Crisis workers receive more than 60 hours of extensive training and must be at least 21 years old. PRS has been recognized as a best place to work by the Washington Post and national The NonProfit Times. The nonprofit provides supported resources and training for continued learning and growth, a competitive industry-related salary, and an excellent benefits program.

About PRS, Inc.

PRS is a leading local nonprofit helping those living with serious mental health issues and anyone who faces life crises achieve independence and self-sufficiency. PRS provides people they serve with skill training and support to help them recover and rebuild their lives through programs such as: Recovery Academy Day Programs and Community Readiness Support Program, Community Support Services, Employment Services, Peer Support Services, Community Housing, Coordinated Specialty Care and CrisisLink—a 24/7 phone, text and chat hotline. www.prsinc.org. For 24/7 support from CrisisLink, call 1-800-273-TALK.  For 24/7 chat support, visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.

OAKTON, Va. (September 7, 2021)—PRS, a behavioral health nonprofit serving Northern Virginia, has received a $72,000 grant from Virginia Association of Community Based Providers (VACBP) to ensure more vulnerable people can access mental health services. With the rise in mental health issues related to COVID-19, the VACPB grant will enable PRS to reach more people who are uninsured or otherwise would not qualify for needed services, with additional emphasis on diverse communities.

“COVID has intensified mental health issues. Communities of color have had higher rates of the disease, creating more need for mental health services at a time when services are stretched,” explained Joseph Getch, CEO, PRS. “Adding capacity and access to outstanding mental health services—for all income levels and in diverse communities—is critical to help people and our region recover.”

The pandemic has exacerbated need and stretched resources. In fact, 36% of callers to PRS’s CrisisLink Program—Virginia’s crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline, text and chat service—identified COVID-19 as the primary stressor in their lives with a third of those experiencing acute suicide thoughts. PRS case managers report seeing younger children with increasingly aggressive behaviors and teens with increased hospitalizations, suicide ideation, risky behaviors and drug use. In addition, PRS has had increased referrals and more requests to serve clients who do not have Medicaid and do not qualify for other payer sources.

The grant will enable PRS to add additional staff to serve more people who currently are not able to access help. The VACBP grant of $72,000—made possible through federal COVID-related funds provided at the state level—will help people get support through PRS’ Mental Health Skills-Building Service, which provides services to individuals benefiting from person-centered skills-teaching. Clients are typically funded through either Medicaid or the local Community Services Boards.  Funding will target populations who lack access because they do not meet the strict requirements of these two payer sources.

Recognizing the negative impact COVID-19 has had on black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) populations and communities of color, PRS will implement strategies to reach and encourage those individuals to access these free mental health services as well as hire staff members who have experience serving diverse populations. Those needing free services should visit PRS’ website at www.prsinc.org or call (703) 536-9000.

About PRS, Inc.

PRS is a leading local nonprofit helping those living with serious mental health issues and anyone who faces life crises achieve independence and self-sufficiency. PRS provides people they serve with skill training and support to help them recover and rebuild their lives through programs such as: Recovery Academy Day Programs and Community Readiness Support Program, Community Support Services, Employment Services, Peer Support Services, Community Housing, Coordinated Specialty Care and CrisisLink—a 24/7 phone, text and chat hotline. www.prsinc.org. For 24/7 support from CrisisLink, call 1-800-273-TALK.  For 24/7 chat support, visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.

OAKTON, VA (August 26, 2021) —PRS, a nonprofit operating Northern Virginia’s crisis hotline and textline, is hosting its 7^th annual #CallTextLive Campaign with activities throughout September’s Suicide Prevention Month. The campaign provides information and activities that create awareness about preventing suicide and calling or texting a hotline to receive help and support. Suicide, a serious issue locally and nationally and exacerbated by the pandemic, claims the lives of more than 47,000 people annually and is the second leading cause for people aged 10-34.

“The need for suicide prevention outreach is more critical than ever as the pandemic has heightened anxiety and despair.  We need to continue reducing stigma around discussing issues that contribute to suicide and encourage people to get help.  By participating in #CallTextLive social media, activities and events, people can find simple ways to effect change,” explained Joseph Getch, CEO, PRS.

Using the hashtag #CallTextLive, the campaign works to educate the community about resources available and actions they can take to bring awareness to suicide prevention and intervention.  A simple call or text to a crisis hotline or textline often provides the empathetic, trained voice that someone in crisis needs to reduce their pain and provide alternatives and connections to care.

By visiting PRS’ website at www.prsinc.org/calltextlive, people can discover how to participate in the #CallTextLive Campaign. Campaign elements include information designed to support populations at a higher risk for suicide behaviors; facts and data about understanding the problem of suicide; resources about identifying when someone is in crisis; and invitations to PRS supported events including NAMI NoVa Walk and AFSP Fairfax Walk.

Social media is an important part of the campaign and is used to engage people in sharing stories and photos on PRS Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the #CallTextLive hashtag.  The campaign also encourages people to crowdsource to support PRS’ CrisisLink Hotline/Textline since the increased demand for services requires more staff and volunteers to answer the call.

COVID-related anxiety, depression, loneliness and decreased stress tolerance has made suicide prevention efforts more important than ever. In fact, 36% of callers to PRS’ CrisisLink Program—Virginia’s crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline, text and chat service—identified COVID-19 as the primary stressor in their lives with a third of those experiencing acute suicide thoughts. PRS case managers report seeing younger children with increasingly aggressive behaviors and teens with increased hospitalizations, suicide ideation, risky behaviors and drug use.

For every death, 278 people manage to move past thoughts of suicide and survive. PRS supports this through its CrisisLink program, which handles over 100,000 calls, texts and chats each year. The PRS CrisisLink Hotline can be reached at (800) 273-TALK [8255] and the textline by texting “CONNECT” to 85511. PRS also supports the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s hotline and chatline as part of the subnetwork of crisis centers answering overflow calls and chats from around the nation. PRS provides behavioral health, crisis intervention and suicide prevention services.  www.prsinc.org.

Kicking off Mental Health Awareness Month, a new golf tournament hosted by Alliance Executive Search and CBRE on May 3 raised more than $26,000 to benefit PRS, a leading behavioral health nonprofit serving Northern Virginia.

PRS, a leading behavioral health nonprofit serving Northern Virginia, has forged a stronger partnership with the NOVA Mental Health Foundation (NVMHF) to ensure the availability of more high-quality services for region residents.

PRS, a behavioral health nonprofit, has launched Family Peer Support Partner Services (FPSPs), which employs trained parents and caregivers to use their personal experience to offer support for other Fairfax County parents and caregivers of youth diagnosed with mental health or substance use disorders.