Southern Hills Crisis Intervention/Emergency Services handles mental
health emergencies within the Southern Hills catchment area 24 hours a day via a
toll free phone number: 1-800-883-4020 or 812-482-4020. Southern Hills trained
emergency staff are available to assess individuals’ needs for emergency mental
health care and to refer them to appropriate services which could include
inpatient admission or an outpatient appointment.
The Crisis Intervention/Emergency Services operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a
day and provides both telephone and face-to-face mental health crisis
intervention and assessment to residents of Crawford, Dubois, Orange, Perry, and
Spencer Counties. The emergency phone number is publicized throughout the
five-county area. Emergencies occurring during regular business hours will be
handled through the local county office in English, Jasper, Paoli, Tell City, or
Rockport. Calls after regular business hours will be referred to the emergency
answering service which refers all calls to a trained Southern Hills therapist.
Anyone requesting emergency services will be contacted by a Southern Hills
therapist on a priority basis. Emergency contacts consist of a screening to
determine the type of emergency the individual is having. Staff will meet with
the individual or return their phone call and may attempt to gather additional
information from family members and others.
Crisis Intervention/Emergency Services aim to provide a quick response to
persons experiencing a mental health crisis, to determine the most appropriate
response, and to make an appropriate treatment plan in order to reduce the
individual’s psychiatric concerns.
Any person asking for emergency mental health services from Southern Hills
receives a mental health screening and recommendations for services are
determined. Any major medical problems will be screened initially and referred
immediately for emergency care as appropriate. When another hospital requests an
admission to Jasper Memorial Hospital’s Behavioral Health Unit, a Southern Hills
physician will be contacted. Such a transfer will only be considered for
individuals who are medically stable and in need of inpatient emergency
psychiatric services.