THE LIVING ROOM PROGRAM
A Community-Based Alternative for Behavioral Health Crisis Support
Serving Marion and the surrounding Southern Illinois community
The Living Room Program provides adults experiencing a behavioral health or emotional crisis with a safe, welcoming, home-like environment where they can receive immediate support outside of a hospital emergency department or correctional setting.
The program is designed to work collaboratively with law enforcement, fire/EMS, 988, mobile crisis teams, hospitals, and other community partners to help connect individuals with the right level of care at the right time. Illinois defines Living Room guests as adults age 18 and older experiencing a self-defined crisis—a situation in which their circumstances have overwhelmed their current resources or ability to cope.
The Living Room Program is minimally staffed by a Program Coordinator, Certified Recovery Specialists, Mental Health Providers, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Peer Support Workers, and has a dedicated Qualified Mental Health Professional (Master’s Level) on call 24/7. Two staff are on shift at all times and the center is expected to operated 24/7.
Guests may walk in on their own or be referred by police, fire/EMS, 988, mobile crisis teams, healthcare providers, hospitals, social-service agencies, family members, or other community partners.
PROGRAM GOALS
Reduce unnecessary emergency department utilization for behavioral health needs that can be safely addressed in a community setting.
Provide an alternative to unnecessary arrest or incarceration when an individual’s primary need is behavioral health support.
Offer rapid, low-barrier crisis support in a calm, non-clinical environment.
Promote stabilization, recovery, resilience, and hope through trauma-informed and peer-based support.
Connect guests to ongoing behavioral health and community resources that can reduce the likelihood of future crises.
Strengthen collaboration with Marion Police, Marion Fire/EMS, hospitals, 988, mobile crisis providers, and other community partners.
Illinois identifies diversion from emergency departments and jails as a central purpose of the Living Room model.
APPROPRIATE REFERRALS
Consider the Living Room when an adult is experiencing:
Anxiety, panic, depression, grief, or overwhelming stress
Increasing behavioral health symptoms or emotional distress
A situational crisis involving relationships, housing, employment, finances, or other life circumstances
Feelings of being unable to cope or needing someone to talk with
A need for a safe, supportive environment to calm and regroup
A behavioral health concern that does not appear to require emergency medical treatment
A situation in which a voluntary, community-based alternative may prevent unnecessary transport to an emergency department or jail
WHEN A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE MAY BE NEEDED
Every guest is welcomed and screened for suicide risk, homicide risk, substance use, and overall safety. When the Living Room is not the appropriate level of care, staff assist the individual with referral and active linkage to the appropriate service. Emergency medical needs associated with intoxication, withdrawal, injury, or another acute medical condition are referred to EMS or another appropriate emergency service.
SERVICES PROVIDED TO OUR GUESTS
Peer Welcome & Support
Guests are welcomed by trained Peer Recovery Support Specialists who provide support grounded in lived experience, dignity, respect, hope, and recovery.
Crisis Screening & Support
Staff identify immediate needs, safety concerns, strengths, supports, and the most appropriate path forward.
Individual & Peer-Based Support
Guests have an opportunity to talk, decompress, develop coping strategies, receive encouragement, and connect with others in a supportive environment.
Wellness & Recovery Strategies
Support may include coping skills, wellness planning, WRAP/whole-health approaches, sensory supports, creative expression, and other individualized strategies.
Resource Navigation & Linkage
Guests may receive assistance connecting with:
Mental health treatment
Substance use treatment and recovery services
Primary healthcare
Housing and shelter resources
Food assistance
Transportation
Domestic violence resources
Benefits and social services
Other community-based supports
A Partner for First Responders
The Living Room gives law enforcement and Fire/EMS another option.
When emergency medical treatment, incarceration, or involuntary hospitalization is not indicated, the Living Room can provide a safe destination for voluntary behavioral health support, helping first responders resolve appropriate calls while connecting residents with services designed to address the underlying crisis.
Our shared goal:
The right response. The right setting. The right support.
The Living Room Peer Team