Crisis Services

Crisis Services’ team is committed to a community where people in crisis find safety, help, and hope. Our Crisis First Responders are an ever-present lifeline who answer the calls of those in need. Our direct service and administrative professionals are compassionate, well-trained specialists in the field of crisis care. We work hard, around-the-clock, to provide a safety net of hope for our community.

The vision of Crisis Services began by a group of concerned citizens in 1966, who advocated for a place for people having thoughts of suicide to seek help. They worked diligently for two years with the Mental Health Association, the Psychological Association of WNY, and the Erie County Department of Mental Health to create our mission.

Crisis Services began operation in 1968 and is a private, not for profit mental health, human service and crime victim service agency. Our Crisis First Responders help approximately 100,000 residents of our community each year when impacted by a crisis – any type of crisis – 24 hours a day. 

Crisis Services is comprised of three main departments: 24 hour Crisis Counseling Program (CCP), Emergency Mental Health Response Services (EMHRS) and the Advocate Department. 

As of 2019, the agency employs over 100 full and part time staff and retains a strong volunteer corps. Every level of staff, including managers, receives regular, on-going supervision support to ensure the 24/7 operations of the agency. The agency has a strong, functioning Board of Directors, which supports our CEO in strategic decision making. Crisis Services is accredited as a crisis center meeting national standards by the American Association of Suicidology.