Crisis Intervention

Crisis Line

Answering Calls

Grassroots operates a 24-hour crisis intervention and supportive counseling hotline. Individuals may call for a variety of reasons including thoughts of suicide, family and relationship problems, housing needs, violent or threatening domestic situations, loneliness or depression, and substance use issues, among others. Callers may remain anonymous. The program is accredited by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS). Callers can reach the Grassroots crisis line at 410-531-6677. Grassroots hotline/walk-in programs also serves as a key connection to housing opportunities in Howard County.

Grassroots also answers calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Callers from central MD can reach also reach Grassroots crisis counselors through Maryland’s Helpline by calling 211 and pressing 1. Additional information about the Maryland Helpline can be found on their website.

988 Crisis Chat and Texting

Grassroots is a proud Maryland and national partner that helps people who call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help. 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be:

  • Thoughts of suicide
  • Mental health or substance use crises
  • Emotional distress

Learn more.

Walk-in Counseling Program

Anyone in need of immediate assistance may walk in to Grassroots 24-hours-a-day to see a counselor. An appointment is not needed to receive services. There is no fee for the service. Short term follow-up is offered until the client is connected with appropriate ongoing counseling or treatment resources. Walk-in counseling is geared towards the person or family in need of immediate support or crisis intervention services for a mental health, personal, situational, housing or family crisis.

Substance Use Disorder Services

Grassroots offers free, 24-hour services to clients with substance use concerns. We always have a nurse and trained crisis personnel on site to provide access to free screening, brief intervention & referral to treatment, along with full assessment, short-term withdrawal management, counseling and peer support.

Walk in 24 hours a day and get compassionate support – no insurance, referrals or appointments needed. Grassroots is a safe place for individuals seeking help for any substance misuse, ages 12 and older, from any location. Free services are available at our new location at 8990 Old Annapolis Road, Suite A, in Columbia.

Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group

The Survivors of Suicide group is a free and confidential support group that provides a safe place for you to share your thoughts, feelings and experiences related to the loss of a loved one to suicide. The group is here to help you as a survivor to cope with this tragedy and help in the process of putting your life together in the healthiest way possible. We recognize how difficult it may be to attend this group and talk about your loss or listen to the losses of others. Please know that we will always respect your need to share or to just sit quietly and listen to others. The group meets two times per month. Registration is required. Please contact info@grassrootscrisis.org for more information or to register.

Mobile Crisis Team

Help in a crisis is just a phone call away.

Established in 2001, the Mobile Crisis Team is a two-member team of master’s level mental health clinicians who respond with the police to psychiatric emergencies, family crises, and other traumatic events in the community. Team members have authority to sign Petitions for Emergency Evaluation which allows the police to immediately transport an individual to the hospital on an involuntary basis for a psychiatric evaluation. The team responds with the police to private residences, workplaces, accident scenes, public locations, etc. The police also request MCT for traumatic death situations including homicides, suicides, or fatal work place or traffic accidents.

The program is a partnership between Grassroots and the Police Department. The team is available 24 hours a day and responds to over 1,000 crisis situations per year. The Mobile Crisis Team can be reached through the Grassroots Crisis Hotline 410-531-6677.