The Crisis System of Georgia
Someone To Talk To
For access please call the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) at 1-800-715-4225. GCAL professionals will:
- Provide telephonic intervention services
- Dispatch mobile crisis teams
- Assist individuals in finding an open crisis or detox bed across the state
- Link individuals with urgent appointment services
In addition, GCAL will help you to access a state-funded provider in your area in a non-emergency. GCAL is a nationally accredited crisis center and partner to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year (24/7/365). GCAL is operated by Behavioral Health Link, a private-sector partner of DBHDD. GCAL has been the home of the NSPL in Georgia and will continue to be.
Someone To Respond
Mobile Crisis Team Services (MCTS) provides community-based, face-to-face responses to individuals in an active crisis, who have behavioral health issues, or an intellectual or developmental disability. This service offers 24/7/365 crisis assessment, short-term intervention, and referral services.
Somewhere To Go
Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs) are a residential alternative to inpatient hospitalization. CSUs offer short-term behavioral health crisis stabilization and are available for receiving and evaluating youth and adults across Georgia 24/7/365. The average length of a stay in a CSU is approximately six days.
Behavioral Health Crisis Centers (BHCC)
Behavioral Health Crisis Centers are available 24/7/365 for walk-in access to psychiatric crisis assessment, intervention, and counseling. Treatment teams and peer specialists work to effectively address the needs of the individual through the following services:
- Crisis Services Center: A walk-in behavioral health center for crisis evaluation and short-term intervention services for those experiencing abrupt and substantial changes in behavior. Also provides screening and referral for appropriate outpatient services and community resources for individuals who are not in crisis but who are seeking access to behavioral health care.
- Temporary Observation: An extended outpatient intervention (generally no more than 24 hours) in which an individual in crisis is further assessed, monitored, stabilized, and referred to needed services and support.
- Crisis Stabilization Unit: BHCCs also include a Crisis Stabilization Unit, which provides short-term behavioral health crisis stabilization. The average length of stay is approximately six days.
State Hospitals
DBHDD operates hospitals that offer inpatient adult mental health and forensic services.
Learn more about DBHDD’s Hospital Services
Peer Support Services
Certified Peer Specialists (CPSs) are trained and certified individuals who work from the perspective of their lived experience to provide ongoing support to individuals and their families receiving mental health and/or substance use recovery supports and services. Peer Support spans all aspects of Georgia’s crisis system, from the Call Center Staff, and Certified Peer Specialists (CPSs) in every mobile crisis team to Behavioral Health Crisis Centers (BHCC) and Crisis Stabilization Units (CSU) with Living Room Models.
Warmlines provide Georgians the opportunity to receive peer support over the phone 24 hours a day. For more information on warmlines in the State of Georgia, please visit the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network or the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse.