Emergency Services is a 24-hour program that provides intervention, consultation and assessment services to individuals experiencing a behavioral health, substance abuse or developmental disability crisis.  Certified Prescreening Counselors, who are skilled in the assessment and treatment of these disorders, will provide an independent examination of the individual in crisis and seek to obtain relevant information from collateral sources in order to make decisions and provide recommendations based on the least restrictive alternative. The assessment will determine whether the individual meets the commonwealths’ criteria for temporary detention order based on evidence readily available.  Many less restrictive alternatives exist and the goal will be recovery focused and individuals will be empowered to develop their own plan of recovery.

Depending on the assessment findings, an individual would be referred and encouraged to seek treatment and stabilization on an out-patient bases, seek voluntary treatment in a residential crisis stabilization program or inpatient treatment in a hospital. A recommendation could be made to the local magistrate for a temporary detention order seeking inpatient hospitalization.  Many assessments are opportunities to educate individuals about the resources available to them throughout the region or state.

Certified Prescreening Counselors are available in each of the three Counseling Centers. Counselors can be contacted by calling the local Mount Rogers CSB Counseling Center M-F 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Call your local Sheriff’s Department after-hours on weeknights, weekends and holidays.

Counselors are also responsible for representing the CSB in involuntary hospitalization commitment hearings and are available in person or by telephone to testify to the findings of the prescreening assessment.  Community Liaison staff are available to assist with hospital discharge planning and after-care appointments for individuals involved in inpatient treatment.

Counselors work closely with local schools, law enforcement, medical hospitals and other community agencies to provide a variety of services for individuals in need.  Several staff are trained and certified in Critical Incident Stress Management and Grief Counseling and provide these services for individuals or agencies involved in a tragic incident.  In-service programs are also provided as needed to local agencies seeking information or training on behavioral health, developmental or substance abuse issues.

Counseling Centers: Regular business hours Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Wythe/Bland                                                                       276-223-3202

Smyth                                                                                 276-783-8185

Fernwood (serving Grayson, Carroll Counties and City of Galax)  276-238-9700