Memphis Crisis Center

The Memphis Crisis Center is a 24 hour, 7 days a week telephone hotline for people who are experiencing moments of crisis. The phone number for the Memphis Crisis Center is 901-CRISIS7 or 901-274-7477 ^[1] The Crisis Center's purpose is to provide a listening ear when the world seems to have tuned out; to offer help when none seems available, and referral to resources when they are most needed. They offer support for anyone who needs a lifeline to hope.^[1] They serve several counties in Tennessee, including Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Shelby, Tipton, and Weakley.^[2]

The Memphis Crisis Center was founded by Richard G. Farmer and Allen O. Battle in 1970 and was then called "Suicide Prevention Service." ^[3] Until 2009, the Memphis Crisis Center was a program of Family Service of the Mid-South in order to receive funding from United Way of America. However, in 2009, Family Services of the Mid-South closed after 115 years of existence due to tough economic times. ^[4] Soon after, a proposal was given to United Way to grant funding for the Crisis Center to re-open as an independent agency. In October 2009, the Crisis Center relocated to a donated building on the campus of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center ^[5]

The Memphis Crisis Center is a volunteer-powered agency, including roughly 150 volunteers who receive around 20,000 calls each year.^[5] Volunteers also answer calls for SeniorBsafe, Narcotics Anonymous, and the Mid-South Sexual Assault Resource Center (MSARC) during after hours and holidays. The Memphis Crisis Center is also the local affiliate for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-SUICIDE/1-800-273-TALK).^[6]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} http://crisis7.org/
2. ^ http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/tennesseepathfinder/ServiceFinder/Agency.aspx?agency=1381
3. ^ http://crisis7.org/?page_id=9
4. ^ http://crisis7.org/?page_id=9
5. ^ ^{a b} http://www.uthsc.edu/news/ne.php?HYPER=/news/october/crisis_center_relocates_to_UTHSC.htm
6. ^ http://crisis7.org/?page_id=10