Community member in crisis guided to the Treatment & Recovery Center

When Carol Huettner, a North Lawrence resident, recognized a woman in crisis, her quick thinking and knowledge of the Treatment & Recovery Center (TRC) of Douglas County helped ensure the woman received immediate, expert mental health care.

Carol encountered a stranger – we’ll call her Robin – on her property who was shaking, incoherent, and frightened. Robin didn’t know where she was; she asked for a bed and kept mentioning her mother. Carol’s partner David had already begun making phone calls to figure out which agency might be able to help, but he hadn’t gotten very far. With Robin unable to communicate clearly, he had to guess whom to call and what to request.

When Carol stepped in and assessed the situation, her immediate thought was that Robin “needed to go to Bert Nash.” She knew that the TRC had trained staff who could intervene and help stabilize Robin.

Carol recalls feeling grateful that the TRC exists in our community and, seeing that Robin’s crisis was mental health-related rather than physical, she knew exactly where she needed to go.

“I knew where to take her. I didn't have to guess. I didn't have to call five or six agencies. I didn't have to drop her off at the hospital emergency room and hope that the best would happen.” 

Carol described how reassuring it felt to walk into the TRC lobby and know that trained staff were on hand 24/7 to help with exactly this kind of situation. As the team began helping Robin with paperwork, Carol mentioned that she planned to step out to pick up some basic toiletries and a change of clothes for her. The staff let her know that the TRC already had all of those items, thanks to the generosity of community donors, and could provide Robin with everything she needed.

Carol remembers the warmth of the security guard who greeted them and the empathy he showed Robin. She also remembers how respectfully and compassionately the staff treated them both. “When we walked through those doors,” she said, “there was a palpable air of care … a calmness. It made me feel really good to know that she was in the right place.”

Located at 1000 W. Second St. in Lawrence, the TRC is open 24/7, 365 days a year. No appointment is necessary. For information about the TRC, please visit www.trcdgks.org.