Mental health support and resources available in Johnson County
One in five people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an annual observance raising awareness, providing support and resources, and reducing the stigma around mental health. This year’s theme is “Back to Basics” with a goal of providing foundational knowledge about mental health and mental health conditions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the mental well-being of many Americans, so continuing to focus on our mental health must be a priority. If you’re struggling with your mental health, know that it’s okay to not be okay, and help is available to you if you need it.
Learn more about the mental health resources available from Johnson County Mental Health Center (JCMHC) and other organizations, and help us come together in support of mental health this May.
Making mental health a priority
Mental Health Awareness Month is all about starting a conversation. Check in with your friends and family about their mental health. It could be as simple as saying, “I care about you. Is there anything you want to talk about? I’m here to listen.”
For someone experiencing mental health concerns, having a good listener can make a huge difference. Be sure to listen, empathize, show compassion, avoid judgment and educate yourself if you do not fully understand what is being shared.
Don’t forget to check in and see how you’re feeling, too. Mental Health America offers a quick, free, anonymous mental health screening tool, which can tell you more about the state of your mental health. Mental health screenings help identify symptoms of a mental health disorder.
Screening tools provide an easy way to learn about your mental health and if you are showing warning signs of a mental health condition. These screening tools are a great starting point, but we encourage you to share your results with your doctor, mental health provider or a loved one so they can help support you.
Resources from the Johnson County Mental Health Center
Johnson County Mental Health Center provides community mental health services at five locations across Johnson County.
If you’re interested in starting services, you can start by visiting the Olathe office or Shawnee office for walk-in services, also known as Open Access. Open Access is available Monday through Friday, starting at 9 a.m.
You don't have to be in crisis to call or text a crisis line. Johnson County Mental Health Center is here for you 24/7 via phone at 913-268-0156. Sometimes you just need to talk through something you are experiencing. A few topics you might call us to talk about could be financial worries, grief, relationships, depression/anxiety or loneliness.
Another resource to save in your phone is the Crisis Text Line (741-741). The Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need.
Mental health services
For residents with mental health needs in Johnson County, the Mental Health Center offers a variety of adult services, including:
- Counseling
- Peer support services
- Vocational services
- Educational support
- Young adult/transition services
Services are also available to youths ages 3-18 with emotional or behavioral issues and their families, and the Mental Health Diversion Program provides treatment to criminal defendants with mental health issues.
Emergency and crisis response
If you’re in a mental health crisis in Johnson County, a mental health professional is more than likely ready to respond.
Mental health co-responders, clinicians from the Johnson County Mental Health Center, are embedded within most police departments in Johnson County. They respond to 911 calls during mental health emergencies to support those in crisis.
The Crisis Assessment Team, comprised of licensed clinicians and crisis case managers, responds to mental health emergencies during evenings and weekend hours. They also provide mobile mental health crisis service hours during weekday business hours.
Mental health e-newsletters
Want mental health news, updates and encouragement sent straight to your inbox? Sign up for one of the Johnson County Mental Health Center’s regular e-newsletters:
- Mental Health Moment e-newsletter: A weekly email that shares inspiration, information and coping strategies for the world we live in
- Mental Health in the Know e-newsletter: A monthly email that keeps the community informed on issues related to JCMHC
Other mental health resources in the community
In addition to the Johnson County Mental Health Center, many other organizations are working to support and improve mental health throughout the community like El Centro, Pathway to Hope, ReDiscover and Wyandot Center.
The Johnson County Suicide Prevention Coalition works to reduce the number of suicides through awareness and preventative action. This includes initiatives such as giving away free gun locks, hosting suicide prevention trainings and more.
Nationally, the National Alliance of Mental Illness and the National Institute of Mental Health are non-profit organizations devoted to mental health education, advocacy and support in communities across the country.
If you’re ever in distress, don’t hesitate to call the free, confidential National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, available 24/7. You’re not alone. Help is available.