ARK HELPLINE - Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says state leaders are expanding access to mental health services for those in need of drug-addiction counseling. During his recent radio address, Hutchinson announced a new resource to for Arkansans facing a crisis to reach out for assistance, it’s a Crisis Helpline to be run by the Department of Human Services.
"The helpline complements Arkansas’s system of Crisis Stabilization Units, which offers a person in the midst of a mental-health crisis the option of
immediate treatment rather than a trip to jail," explained Hutchinson. "Arrest isn’t always the best option for a person who is suffering a mental-health crisis."
Several Crisis Stabilization Units have opened across the state. Hutchinson said staff members at the CSUs are trained to assess the needs of those in crisis, provide immediate aid, and then guide them to the appropriate help. Under Hutchinson’s administration -- Arkansas’ Medicaid Expansion in 2017 –has increased the number of drug addiction counselors from 31 to 207, a 567 percent increase. Additionally, the number of behavioral health sites in the state has increased to 311.
The new DHS helpline is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Governor says they will look into expanding hours of operation in the future.
The new Arkansas Crisis Helpline number is 1-844-763-0198