Solari Crisis & Human Services Partners with Mercy Care for Arizona’s First Open-to-the-Public Texting Service for Crisis Help

TEMPE, ARIZONA, September 2, 2021 – Solari Crisis & Human Services (formerly Crisis Response Network) is proud to announce a partnership with Mercy Care on Arizona’s first open-to-the public texting service for crisis assistance in Central Arizona.

Funded by Mercy Care, crisis text response is available in central Arizona and began on August 2, 2021.

For text response, text “hope” to 4HOPE.

The texting program operates from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Texts received outside of operating hours will receive an automated response to call Solari’s 24/7/365 crisis telephone lines.

Text responses are handled by trained Crisis Intervention Specialists, who also answer calls to Solari’s crisis telephone lines. They are trained to assist texters and callers with any crisis or problem, including:

• Substance use
• Divorce or relationship challenges
• Anxiety and depression
• Grief and loss
• Thoughts of suicide
• Violent or abusive situations
• Finding a safe place
• Help with counseling or community services

Compassionate crisis intervention specialists listen to concerns and help find solutions to move texters and callers from hope to health. If immediate help is needed, specialists can dispatch a mobile team to provide assistance where the texter or caller is or to help them get to a safe location.

“Texting is a preferred communication method for many people and Solari Crisis & Human Services is honored to partner with Mercy Care to provide this important text response service for anyone experiencing a crisis,” said Justin Chase, President and CEO of Solari. “Whether via text or our 24/7/365 crisis phone lines, our trained and experienced Crisis Intervention Specialists are always ready to help.”

“Being able to access crisis services via text messaging is an important step in adapting our crisis system to our community’s needs,” said Lorry Bottrill, Mercy Care CEO. “It’s another way we’re collaborating with Solari to enhance crisis services for all of Maricopa County.”

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Solari Crisis & Human Services is a Tempe-based non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals by Inspiring Hope and Empowering Transformation from HOPE to HEALTH through a continuum of health care services. Learn more at www.Solari-inc.org

Mercy Care is a not-for-profit Medicaid managed-care health plan, serving AHCCCS members in Arizona since 1985. Mercy Care is a local company sponsored by Dignity Health and Ascension Health. Mercy Care provides access to physical and behavioral health care services for Medicaid-eligible families, children, seniors, and individuals with developmental/cognitive disabilities. Learn more at www.MercyCareAZ.org.