Our Mission:
To provide crisis intervention, utilizing state of the science delivery systems, information and referral services, and supportive listening by telephone to people in the community who are experiencing situational distress.Birth of the Crisis Clinic
It was 1965 in Kitsap County. A steak dinner at Crazy Eric's cost only $1.00, bread was only 25 cents, and bell bottoms and tie dyes were the craze. Several concerned lay people and local clinicians saw the need in the community to have a "Crisis Hotline," a place people could call, talk over problems, and go away feeling better about life.
The Clinic
started with 8 "housewives" taking calls during the day and
25 professionals
taking calls in the evening. To avoid over-taxing the volunteers,
branches of emergency services selectively provided the
number. Calls averaged about one every other day. Volunteers
would follow up on callers to see how they were doing.
Current Status
To date, the Crisis Clinic has had a consistent stream of
volunteers pass through its doors. Their dedication and faithful
service provided the foundation that allows us to
continue to be the third oldest crisis line in the United States.
We currently have over 30
volunteer paraprofessionals,
including two of
the original "housewives." Our volunteers serve the residents
of Kitsap, Clallam and Jefferson Counties, 24 hours a day, 7 days per
week. The once selectively distributed phone number is now published in
the phone book, printed on business cards, and and posted throughout
the community.
Our highly trained volunteer paraprofessionals enjoy a working
relationship with clinicians while fielding over 18,000 calls annually.
