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Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board still taking appointments, new clients

Posted at 9:25 AM, Mar 26, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-26 09:25:20-04

CLEVELAND — An important message from the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County: Behavioral health care is still open right now.

Many providers have switched to telehealth to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, but they are still taking appointments and doing assessments for new clients.

Behavioral health care still open:

  • Call provider for appointment
  • 24-hr crisis/referral hotline: 216-623-6888

Leaders say you should call your provider directly or call the 24-hour crisis and referral hotline at 216-623-6888.

You are also encouraged to keep your appointments. Some are still being handled in-person, like medication-assisted treatment.

The CEO of the ADAMHS Board, Scott Osiecki, says during a community crisis they generally see a delay in people reaching out for help.

“People are taking care of needs now,” he said. “They're listening. They're getting information, and then when it sets in as to what's going on, they start to realize that anxiety. There's anxiety now, but when they start to realize how it impacts them personally, it really sets in."

Osiecki says the majority of the calls to the now 24/7 peer support Warm Line, 440-886-5950, have been for anxiety related to the new coronavirus.

They are taking more calls than usual during the peak times of 5 p-m to 1 a-m.

They are adding a staffer to help handle the call volume.

Additional Coronavirus information and resources:

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