When a person is in a mental health crisis, or is the parent of a young person experiencing a crisis, the outcome is largely determined by the support resources available to them. Whether it’s a supportive parent or caregiver, crisis support center or other mental health resources, all can make a difference during a time of crisis. At KVC Missouri, we both provide and outsource to several crisis services in our local communities to expand access to mental health treatment for Missouri children, youth and adults. Explore the resources available to Missourians in crisis.

The Mental Health Crisis in Missouri

Based on research from the Missouri Department of Mental Health, the mental health crisis in Missouri is improving, but still a significant issue. In 2021, 9.4% of Missouri adults suffered at least one major depressive episode. This statistic is notably worse for Missouri youth ages 12-17, of whom 22.4% reported suffering at least one major depressive episode that year.

While there isn’t a singular exacerbating issue experienced by all Missouri residents leading to a mental health crisis, a lot of it can be connected to a lack of support and access to mental health treatment.

“Unfortunately, in the state of Missouri, there are lots of steps to take, hurdles to overcome to get your child the level of service they need,” explains Kelly English, Vice President of Clinical Services with KVC Missouri.

Kelly English, Vice President of Clinical Services

Kelly brings nearly 20 years of experience in the children’s mental health space, serving families with KVC Kansas prior to her current role in KVC Missouri.

“There is also no continuum of care in the state of Missouri, and there are lots of gaps between the services that are available,” Kelly explains. For example, a teen in crisis could receive residential, around-the-clock, high-level mental healthcare, and then upon discharge, may have access to only weekly outpatient care. “What we’re seeing in the state of Missouri is that children can’t manage that jump. They’re having to return to hospital stays for crisis-level support,” she continues. This illustrates a clear gap and clear, Kelly explains, for families in crisis. 

KVC’s Continuum of Care

Services for Children and Teens in Crisis

KVC Missouri’s approach to residential treatment is trauma-informed, strength-based, child- and family-focused and stresses the importance of building healthy attachments and relationships.

Residential Treatment

KVC Missouri provides residential treatment for children and teens who are struggling with their mental health and need intensive and compassionate care in a therapeutic setting with 24/7 supervision. Residential psychiatric treatment for children in crisis in Missouri is offered at these four locations:

Columbia, MO (PRTF)
4304 S. Bearfield Rd., Columbia, MO 65201

Kansas City, MO (QRTP)
1911 E 23rd St, Kansas City, MO 64127

Springfield, MO (PRTF)
1212 W. Lombard St., Springfield, MO 65806

St. James, MO (QRTP)
13160 County Road 3610, Highway DD, St. James, MO 65559

Treatment is based on each child’s unique needs and uses a combination of therapeutic services, including individual, group and family therapy, psychiatric services and medical services. Learn more about KVC Missouri’s Residential Treatment. 

Crisis Services for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

As one of the state’s leading providers of children’s mental health and child welfare services, we’re doing our part at KVC Missouri to make sure everyone has access to local crisis support. Here are community resources for crisis services in Missouri that we offer or endorse:

Emergency Children’s Shelters

KVC Missouri operates two emergency children’s shelters serving ages newborn to 18. These shelters provide a safe haven for children who have been removed from their homes for safety reasons, whose families are experiencing a short-term crisis or who are experiencing homelessness.

“We know the need is great for these services in the state of Missouri,” Kelly notes. In addition to providing food, shelter and other basic needs, children will receive psychological and physical assessments during their stay and access counseling, academic support and child-oriented activities.

Here are the details for our two emergency shelters for children:

• Poplar Bluff: Located at 2701 Holly Trail, housing up to nine children.

• Springfield (Ozark Family Resource Center): Located at 1212 West Lombard, housing up to 20 children. This location also provides support for homeless teens not in foster care and pregnant/parenting teens.

Women’s Crisis Center

This crisis center in Doniphan helps women and their children (up to age 16) find a safe haven from domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or other crisis situations where they are not safe in their home. It also serves as an emergency shelter for women and their children who are experiencing homelessness.

Services offered at the crisis center include:

• Food and shelter
• Clothes, toiletries and other personal care items
• Housing and employment assistance
• Advocacy support during legal proceedings
• Help with state and federal assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, etc.)
• And support with various legal, medical, academic and transportation needs

Ozark Foothills Child Advocacy Center

KVC Missouri’s Ozark Foothills Child Advocacy Center (CAC) provides sensitive and compassionate support and medical examinations in situations of abuse as well as advocacy and support for child victims and non-offending parents or caregivers. Learn more about CAC and the services provided here.

Empowering Youth: Homeless Youth Services

Providing shelter and critical aftercare services to help meet the needs of homeless and unsafely housed youth ages birth to 18, Empowering Youth prepares children in need of shelter with the support they need to find success. This program in southwest Missouri includes emergency shelter through the Ozark Family Resource Center in Springfield as well as clothing, transportation, job training, life skills classes, connection with community resources and more.

If you are a youth or teen needing emergency support, call our emergency helpline at (417) 861-4244 for help. All calls are 100% confidential!

Other Resources for Children & Families in Crisis

In addition to our various crisis resource centers and support services, there are a number of hotlines available for crisis aid, both at local and national levels. Here are important resources to be aware of in the event of a crisis:

National Helplines

• If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, do not wait. Call 911 or get the person in crisis to the nearest emergency department.
• For those experiencing a mental health crisis, call the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Teens experiencing a mental health crisis can get confidential peer support by contacting the NAMI Teen & Young Adult Helpline. To contact, text “Friend” to 62640, call 800-950-6264 or chat online Monday through Friday from 10 am to 10 pm.

24/7 Crisis Helplines in Missouri

If you need emergency shelter or assistance for yourself or a youth in your care, contact KVC Missouri’s crisis helpline for your region:

• In Springfield/southwest Missouri, (417) 861-4244
• In Doniphan/southeast Missouri, toll-free (800) 681-1419 or (573) 351-1185

Building Resilience Through Accessible Support

At KVC Missouri, we are committed to being a lifeline for those in crisis, ensuring that individuals and families can access the resources they need to navigate their most challenging moments. Whether through our emergency shelters, advocacy centers, or crisis hotlines, we aim to provide a comprehensive safety net for children, youth and adults across the state.

“We know that when families are in crisis, they’re reaching out for any branch or limb they find, anything to get their child what they need,” Kelly explains. “So KVC Missouri is really trying to pave the way for easier accessibility for families and more education about how to get these critical services.”

To that end, KVC is making strides in community outreach, forging partnerships and collaborating to deliver what Missourians in crisis need.

But our work doesn’t stop there. Beyond immediate crisis intervention, we focus on long-term support and prevention, empowering individuals with the tools and resources necessary to build resilience, stability, and hope. We believe that by offering consistent, compassionate care, we can help reduce the frequency and severity of crises, ultimately contributing to healthier, more connected communities.

Your involvement can make a difference too. By spreading awareness of these resources, supporting mental health initiatives and advocating for those in need, we can all play a role in creating a stronger, more supportive Missouri. To learn more about how you can help or access our services, please visit our website or contact us directly. Together, we can ensure that no one has to face a crisis alone.

We know we all need connection. If you or someone you love is facing a crisis, there is hope and there is help. Learn more about our community and family services here.