By dialing 211, anyone in Knox County can reach a thoughtful and knowledgeable specialist who can help or can provide information about where to access the help they need – all anonymous and completely confidential.
Pathways of Central Ohio is a social services and crisis hotline resource in Knox County. It began in Licking County in 1968 and was incorporated in Knox in 1970.
The 211 number to call for information and community resources — whether it be healthcare services, utility assistance, or food and shelter, began in June of 2008.
Even during a disaster, 211 provides critical information, like evacuation routes or where to find shelter.
Last year, the 211/988 Crisis Hotline received nearly 3,000 calls from Knox County residents who needed help. Over half of the callers contacting the hotline were looking for access to basic needs including food assistance, medical care, housing, utility assistance or rent assistance. Other callers were looking for help with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression or suicide or substance use disorders such as opiate addiction.
In October and November, the top service requests included holiday donations (96 requests), Thanksgiving baskets (32 requests), utility assistance (97 requests), and clothing (196 requests, the top request in the past two months) – a reminder of the upcoming, colder season.
Pathways provides a vital link between providers and those who need assistance. They maintain an extensive resource directory of over 3000 detailed listings of service providers to which callers can be referred, or refer back to, all being consistently updated to ensure callers have the easiest experience possible.
The Pathways 211/988 Crisis Hotline is funded in part by Mental Health and Recovery for Licking and Knox Counties and the Knox County Commissioners. Pathways is certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and nationally accredited by Inform USA. It is also a participating center of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
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