Frequently Asked Questions
The Mental Health Center accepts all types of insurance. However, it depends on your individual policy whether your insurance will cover the services the Mental Health Center offers. We will be glad to contact your insurance company for you regarding your coverage.
The Mental Health Center's services do have charges associated with them depending on the service. However, fees for Center services are discounted based on family income and number of dependents. Please see the Sliding Fee Discount Program Policy under the Services tab for information regarding the program. Payments from third party payers are accepted.
Southwest has a toll-free number that may be called 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for emergencies: 800-239-HOPE (4673). Each of the Center's outpatient offices are open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m–4:00 p.m.
To access your therapist or doctor after hours, you will need to call Southwest's 24-hour crisis number: 800-239-HOPE (4673). A qualified crisis professional will return your call within thirty minutes. If you need to speak to a therapist, this will be arranged.
Group home space is limited, but you can enroll your family member in Southwest's services at any of our outpatient offices. This is the first step to mental illness group home placement. If the consumer is diagnostically qualified for a mental illness group home and they wish to live there, a referral will be made to that group home. If a bed is available, the consumer will be admitted, otherwise the consumer will be placed on a waiting list on a first come-first serve basis. A primary diagnosis of a severe mental illness is required to go into a mental illness group home. These include schizophrenia, major depression, bi-polar disorder and some others. The person cannot have a primary diagnosis of mental retardation, substance abuse, or brain damage and be admitted to a mental illness group home.
No, but we do provide outpatient services and can assist with a referral for inpatient when indicated.
Psychological testing is provided by Southwest on a limited basis for children at each of our outpatient offices. We provide screening for attention-deficit disorder, depression, bi-polar disorder, and other childhood mental illnesses. Psychological testing, such as intelligence testing, is provided on an as-needed basis by appointment, with qualified professionals employed by the center. You may always ask your child's therapist about testing your child may need.
No, you should contact the Department of Human Resources in the county where you live for assistance.
The Department of Human Resources in the county where you live.
At age 14 a child may refuse to allow his/her parents access to his/her treatment information. Every effort is made by clinical staff to have the adolescent involve their parent or guardian in their care via a signed release from the consumer.
The parent with custody is responsible for determining who has access to the information, including whether a non-custodial parent has access. We do require the legal documents be presented for verification of custody.
For information on enrolling a family member in Developmental Disability Services, please refer to the following website: www.mh.alabama.gov