Reviewed by: Sharron Swain
Find quick access to local mental health resources, community + more
Reading time: 4 minutes
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Alabama residents now have quick and easy access to local resources related to mental health, substance use, prevention and more. Read on for everything you need to know about the free Connect Alabama app.
Filling a gap in the mental health community
Connect Alabama is a single resource that makes it easy to find everything there is to know about substance use, prevention and mental health resources—including different types of treatment, what to expect, expenses and how to get started.
If you or someone you care about needs help for substance use, mental health, or prevention, Connect Alabama will help you find what you need.
The need for a mental health tool like this
We talked with Shanna McIntosh, director of VitAL Alabama, to learn more about the need for a resource like Connect Alabama.
Through their research and evaluation, they discovered there really wasn’t a good way to find treatment.
There were certain websites that were best for anxiety, a different one that may be more helpful for something like cocaine use, and sites all about prevention.
“We wanted people to be able to find this all in one place and not have to go to a bunch of different places, especially when these individuals have no idea where to search to begin with.”
Shanna McIntosh, VitAL Director
Here’s how it works (P.S. It’s all private)
The app’s services locator tool allows you to look through the services that are offered, including:
- Crisis centers
- Mental Health
- Prevention
- Substance use
- Medication disposal locations
Once the app is downloaded, it works with or without data, so people have access to the full directory no matter where they are.
PLUS—The app does not collecting or store users’ personal information in any way, so you can safely search for content or services without the fear of being watched or monitored.
Even if you complete an assessment request form, your information isn’t saved. It is sent directly to the Recovery Resource Center, but not saved or monitored within the app.
Connect Alabama is more than a treatment finder
When the creators of the app went to the Alabama Department of Mental Health, they loved the idea, but they wanted more.
This is when the idea came about to make the tool not only a treatment finder, but also educational and informative.
“That’s how we got the app to where it is today.
It was a compilation of our need for having a place that an individual can go to and easily find different types of treatment anywhere in the state, plus their idea of a place where individuals would have education and information at their fingertips.”
Shanna McIntosh, VitAL Director
Now, as you look at different types of treatment, you’re also able to learn more about all things mental health, including:
- What are symptoms of substance use?
- What should you look for in a treatment center?
- Info on substance use regarding opioids, Naloxone, fentanyl, etc.
This app will continue to grow
Connect Alabama is being rolled out in six different phases, and is currently in phase three.
“We have so much that we want to do with the app, but we wanted to get what we could out there and in the hands of others immediately.”
Shanna McIntosh, VitAL Director
Later additions will include multiple languages, evidenced based screening tools, additional resources and treatment services in the directory and more.
To find treatment and access information about treatment services, what to expect and how to get started, download the Connect Alabama app today.
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