Mental Health Resources
Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Hotlines
BCIU Mental Health Resources for Students: https://www.berksiu.org/bcmh-students/
Berks County Local Crisis Intervention: 610-379-2007
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988
RUOK Berks: http://www.ruokberks.com/ or 610-236-0530 or Text 484-816-7865 (RUOK)
In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) is a network of more than 200 state and local call centers funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and administered by Vibrant Emotional Health.
- 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use and other mental health crises.
- To reach the Lifeline, people can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
- Modeled after 911, the new three-digit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people who are suicidal or in any other mental health crisis to a trained mental health professional.
Safe 2 Say Something
24/7 Hotline 1-844-723-2729
In 2018, the General Assembly passed Act 44 mandating the establishment and use of the “Safe2Say Something” (S2SS) anonymous reporting system by every Pennsylvania school entity by January 14, 2019. S2SS is a life-saving and changing school safety program that teaches students, educators, and administrators how: to recognize the signs and signals of individuals who may be at risk of hurting themselves or others and (2) to anonymously report this information through the S2SS app, website, or 24/7 Crisis Center Hotline.
S2SS works through 5 steps:
- A tip is submitted via mobile app, website, or by calling the PA based 24/7 Crisis Center
- The tip is then triaged by the Crisis Center to gather enough information to act on it
- The tip is delivered to the impacted school and, as needed, local law enforcement via 911 County Dispatch
- The school and, as needed, local law enforcement assess and intervene with the at-risk individual
- The school then closes out the tip and reports actions taken as a record for their school
Safe2Say Something is an extension of the Sandy Hook Promise mission to prevent violence in schools by helping educate youth and adults to identify, intervene, and get help for at-risk individuals by calling 9-1-1, telling a trusted adult, or using an anonymous reporting system.
Any questions regarding our district’s use of Safe2Say Something can be directed to Mr. Brian Bell, Governor Mifflin Director of Student Services.