Everyone knows to call 911 in an emergency. But what do you do if you need help that’s not categorized as “urgent?” Many people in the United States are struggling with their finances, daily healthcare needs, and challenges such as substance use.
There are at least 47.7 million illicit drug users in the U.S., many of whom will suffer from addiction. [1] Yet there’s no emergency service to fix these issues. Thankfully, there is a line you can call, staffed by compassionate personnel from non-profit organizations. Call 211 and you’ll be connected to a local expert who can help you work toward the right solution to your problem.
Who Runs the 211 Helpline?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated the 211 phone number a dedicated support line in 2000. [2] Today, there are over 200 call centers dedicated to the 211 line in the U.S., each funded wholly or in part by United Way. [3]
United Way is a non-profit organization that connects individuals with relevant community resources. They also help make it simpler for people to access social services, healthcare, education, and more. [4] Other non-profit organizations help run the call centers, including some local crisis centers.
What Services Does 211 Provide?
When you dial the 211 service, you can ask for help with any of the following:
- Health care concerns, including the cost of care
- Caregiving, including childcare and senior care
- Crisis intervention, for example, with mental health concerns or addiction
- Disability advice and support
Many of these are classed as community or human services. The 211 line also provides community information and general advice on the available resources in the caller’s area.
How Does 211 Help Those in Need?
What happens when you call 211? You’ll be connected to an agent who is an expert in local services and community resources. They will listen without judgment and refer you to the right service if they can’t answer your questions right away.
Each 211 call center helps by connecting people to the services that will benefit them the most. If someone needs help with a mental health referral, a 211 team member may be able to talk them through that or connect them to a local provider. [5] For anyone at risk of losing safe housing, the 211 hotline can provide information about their options and legal rights. [6]
When it comes to substance use, community services can be a useful starting point to learn about effective recovery programs available in the caller’s area. [7] A resource specialist can look up trusted recovery centers and offer confidential advice to help put the caller on the right path.
Here at Southeast Addiction Center, we understand the positive impact of effective community services. Working as a team to help an individual take steps toward recovery can be very effective, which is why we offer family programs and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) that allow clients to return to their loved ones daily. Contact Southeast Addiction Center to find out more about compassionate substance use recovery programs.