When children with mental health crises come to emergency rooms after hours, doctors often struggle to find them placement in a psychiatric hospital. Until normal business hours resume, many children in psychological distress are either left to wait in the ER or are sent home to ride out the night. Now Trillium Family Services, a nonprofit organization specializing in children's mental health with campuses around the state, offers medical care providers and therapists an alternative: a 24-hour emergency hotline and admission service.

According to Chris Bouneff, Trillium's public relations manager, the hotline started in October when Trillium saw a need for immediate after-hours placement. The care provider calls a Trillium operator in Portland, who then asks a series of questions to determine the acuity and nature of the child's needs. If the child is medically stable and in a mental health crisis, the operator will refer the caller to the appropriate Trillium campus. If Trillium cannot serve the patient, the operator can suggest other facilities.

The Children's Farm Home, the Corvallis branch of Trillium's network, handles the most severe cases. The Farm Home provides assessment and residential and outpatient treatment to children needing psychiatric assistance.

"The best thing about it is we can bring children in who are in an active mental crisis," said Steve Schuttpelz, residential services director at the Children's Farm Home. Schuttpelz estimated the facility has accepted three or four children after hours in the past two months. The Children's Farm Home has approximately 70 beds, 15 of which Schuttpelz expected would be available at any one time for emergency admissions.

Bouneff thinks the number may increase as doctors and hospitals become more aware of Trillium's new service.

Corvallis parents who think their children are in a mental crisis can call the main Children's Farm Home number, 757-1852, during regular business hours. If it is an emergency or after hours, they should seek immediate medical assistance or call the state's psychiatric crisis hotline at 877-205-3944.