Hotline Programs
Grassroots operates a 24-hour crisis intervention and supportive counseling hotline. Individuals may call for a variety of reasons including suicide, family and relationship problems, shelter needs, violent or threatening domestic situations, loneliness or depression, and chemical dependency issues, among others. Callers may remain anonymous. The program is accredited by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS). Callers can reach the Grassroots hotline at 410-531-6677. Grassroots hotline/walk-in programs also serve as the Single Point of Entry for the County’s Coordinated System of Homeless Services.
Callers from central MD can reach through Maryland’s Helpline by calling 211 and pressing 1, texting your zip code to 898-211, or visiting 211md.org. Additional information about the Maryland Helpline can be found on their website.
Callers from any state can reach a crisis counselor by calling Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Crisis Chat Links:
Click through the links and follow instructions on landing pages.
- Maryland – M-F from 4-9 pm: www.help4mdyouth.org/chat/
- Nationwide – 24/7: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/gethelp/lifelinechat.aspx
Walk-in Counseling Program
Anyone in need of immediate assistance may walk in to the agency at any time 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 or family crisis.
Substance Use Disorder Screening
Grassroots provides in-person screening to adults, youth and families dealing with substance misuse issues. Walk-in crisis assistance is available onsite daily at Grassroots’ facility at 6700 Freetown Road in Columbia 24/7.
A counselor will screen clients using a method called “Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment” (SBIRT), an evidence-based method to identify individuals at risk, link them to treatment services in the community and assist them in removing barriers to getting treatment.
Substance Use Disorder Crisis Stabilization Center (SUD CSC)
The Substance Use Disorder Crisis Stabilization Center (SUD CSC) at Grassroots provides services to individuals who are struggling with substance use and may need help accessing support for substance use related concerns/crises. Individuals may walk into Grassroots for services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The program is open to adults ages 18 and older from any jurisdiction. Grassroots does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.
Medical staff are part of the SUD CSC and will assess for eligibility through the admissions process. If, at any time, it is determined that the client needs a higher level of medical care, the client will be sent to the hospital for medical clearance, and they will be eligible to return for SUD CSC services once medically cleared.
Services are free of charge and include multidimensional assessment, peer support, and withdrawal management. Clients may qualify for withdrawal management based on the assessment and will be referred to the Nurse Practitioner for further evaluation.
Upon discharge, clients will be provided with referrals for continued care.
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 the group’s coordinator, Ashley Badgley via email at ashley@grassrootscrisis.org for more information or to register.
Mobile Crisis Team
Established in 2001, the Mobile Crisis Team is a two-member team of master’s level mental health professionals 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 1000 crisis situations per year. The Mobile Crisis Team can be reached through the Grassroots Crisis Hotline 410-531-6677.