happy + healthy
mental health
Bridging the Gap
According to the CDC (The Center for Disease
Control and Prevention), 1 in 6 U.S. children aged
2–8 years (17.4%) had a diagnosed mental,
behavioral, or developmental disorder.
To help parents feel more informed, Children’s of Alabama
teamed up with Anne B. LaRussa Foundation for Hope to
provide a resource called Psychiatric Intake Response Center
(PIRC).
Navigating the mental health care system is challenging for
patients, families, and providers. A new resource based at
Children's of Alabama helps to bridge this gap for parents. The
Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC) is a collaboration
between Children's of Alabama and the Anne B. LaRussa Foun-
dation for Hope.
PIRC Director Cindy Jones says, "PIRC provides resources to any
adult caller, and we have more than 1,300 resources in the state
of Alabama."
The PIRC is only one of three of its kind in the country. When
a parent has concerns about their child, they are able to call
PIRC confidentially. Licensed mental health clinicians trained to
assess a child or teen's emotional and behavioral needs answer
the calls. "If someone calls the PIRC, we are able to briefly assess
the situation and point them in the direction of resources in the
community," Jones says. PIRC does not provide over the phone
diagnosis.
L18
| Spring 2020
watch for signs of mental distress:
Isolating themselves
Changes in eating habits
Weight changes
Changes in sleeping habits
Mood swings
Children and teens shouldn't suffer alone. There are hundreds of
resources available in the state of Alabama to help families navi-
gate through difficult situations and offer them support.
The Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC), located in the
Emergency Department at Children’s of Alabama, is a confi-
dential psychiatric response center designed to assist patients,
their loved ones and/or caregivers, and community providers in
finding the appropriate level of mental health care. These services
are provided via telephone or in person by licensed mental health
clinicians trained to assess a child or teen’s mental, emotion-
al, and behavioral needs, and recommend the best treatment
options. PIRC is open seven days a week, year-round from 8 a.m.
to 11 p.m. Any adult with a mental health question or concern
regarding a child or adolescent is encouraged to contact the
PIRC at 205-638-PIRC (7472). In the event of a crisis situation,
call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
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