NAMI St. Tammany 2020.04.01

Serving first-responders on the front line by providing behavioral health resources is essential in enabling them to assist the community in connecting with available resources for treatment and support.

With our fragmented and complicated behavioral health system, the purpose of our mobile app is to empower first-responders with quick access to additional resources in and around St. Tammany Parish, LA. This tool aids them when facing individuals in behavioral health crises and offers an up-to-date resource directory categorized for easy reference. These resources can be recommended to the individuals, caregivers, or family members as alternatives to immediate hospitalization, and extended support post-hospitalization.

First-responders can discreetly share information and recommend suitable resources through anonymous text messages or emails to affected individuals or families. Facilitating connections to appropriate resources is pivotal in reducing repeated trips to the ER due to mental health crises. This scalable solution, with additional funding, aims to reach more individuals and families in the community.

About NAMI St. Tammany:

We are a local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for families and individuals grappling with mental illness. Our vision emphasizes education and training as fundamental approaches to enhancing services and combating mental health stigma. We facilitate access to free programs, support groups, and information within the community to aid those in need.

For further details on our organization and programs, please visit our website at www.namisttammany.org, or reach out to us at 985-626-6538 or 888-521-2297.

Our app features:

• Over 300 Behavioral Health Resources in and around St. Tammany Parish, along with their respective contact information such as phone numbers, websites, and addresses
• Documents providing guidance on de-escalating situations, recognizing signs and symptoms of certain mental health conditions, and understanding the terms and procedures of the St. Tammany Coroner’s office for aiding severe behavioral health crises necessitating hospitalization.