• Crisis Resources

    If you or someone you know is having thoughts of harming yourself/themselves, immediately contact 911, the Emergency Room, and/or the Four County Crisis Response Team. 

    Children’s Mental Health Sherburne County offers voluntary services to families who qualify, and who are needing services to support their children’s mental health.

    Four County Crisis Response Team The Sherburne County Crisis Response Team can travel to homes or community locations in the four-county area to help individuals in crisis cope with immediate stressors. The team can do suicide assessment, safety planning, coping skills education and make appropriate referrals.

    988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline  When people call, text or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network, available 24/7. They will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support and connect them to resources, if necessary. People call to talk about a lot of different things, including substance abuse, economic worries, relationships, sexual identity, healing from abuse, depression, mental and physical illness, loneliness and suicide. Anytime you need emotional support, you can call.

    At this time, chat and text features are available in English only, however, all other languages do have interpretation services available.  There is also specific support provided depending on what your need is, including but not limited to Veterans, LGBTQ+ (connected to Trevor Project, available 3pm-6am daily), youth, etc.  Dial 988 and start the conversation or hop online to start a chat at 988 Lifeline

    The Trevor Project: A crisis service aimed at supporting youth identifying as LGBTQ+, as well as their loved ones. The service is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

    CMMHC Open Access Appointments  CMMHC has added open access (walk-in) appointments for ages 14+ at the Elk River location.

    Therapy: Getting Started

    We are very fortunate to have many therapists and counselors within a half hour driving distance from our community. Here are some resources and things to consider when you are looking to find a therapist and start therapy.

    Contact your insurance company to see what therapists are in your network. They will give you a list of in-network providers in the area. You may also utilize the free website Fast-Tracker to find assistance. If you do not have insurance, you can apply for health insurance through MNSure or Portico Healthnet.

    Contact your workplace Employee Assistance Program to see if you can receive any therapy sessions for free. Some employers offer the first three sessions or so, for free. Do this prior to setting up an appointment.

    Big Lake School District has access to a co-located therapist that sees students during the school day at the school. Inquire with your students’ school to get information on how to arrange this. 

    Reach out to the school counselor or school social worker if you need help finding a therapist.

    Remember, one of the most important parts of therapy is to feel connected to and trust the therapist. Don't be afraid to seek out another therapist if the one that you are working with is not a good fit.

    Mental Health Apps

    Calm Harm App This free app helps the user to resist or manage the urge to self-harm through comfort, distractions, breathing, expressing yourself and releasing. While this can be an aid in treatment, it does not replace any mental health treatment. This was designed for ages 12 and up.

    Clear Fear App This free app helps the user focus on learning to reduce the physical responses to threats by learning to breathe, relax and be mindful as well as changing thoughts and behaviors and releasing emotions. While this can be an aid in treatment, it does not replace any mental health treatment. This was designed for ages 12 and up.

    Move Mood App This free app uses the evidence-based treatment Behavioral Activation Therapy to help you improve your mood by encouraging you to improve your mood by encouraging you to increase your motivation to carry out a variety of tasks in order to help you move forward, take control and feel positive. While this can be an aid in treatment, it does not replace any mental health treatment. This was designed for ages 12 and up.

    Combined Minds This free app was designed to help families and friends support young people with their mental health. While this can be an aid in treatment, it does not replace any mental health treatment. This was designed for ages 12 and up.

    Insight Timer They offer free listening sessions for mindfulness, meditation, sleep, yoga as well as stories. Ages vary on who the listening sessions are geared for, but there are many for children.