With YWCA closed, Orleans looking to have new crisis helpline in place soon
The YWCA of Genesee County announced it was closing today. The Batavia-based agency provided many services, including a crisis hotline that served Orleans County residents.
The Orleans County Mental Health Department contracted with the YWCA to provide that service. With the agency closing, the Mental Health Department is urging people in crisis to call the dispatch through the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office at 911 or (585) 589-5527, or people can call the Mental Health Department at (585) 589-7066.
Mark O’Brien, Mental Health director, said he is working to contract with another crisis helpline in the next few days. Calling dispatch or Mental Health will be an interim option until the new crisis helpline is in place, O’Brien said.
“We will have another crisis line up shortly, in a matter of days,” O’Brien said.
People can call dispatch, and the dispatchers can activate the Mental Health staff in a person is in need, O’Brien said.
