JONESBORO - St. Bernards Behavioral Health (SBBH) announced the launch of its new 24/7 Call Center on Wednesday, aimed at providing informational resources for behavioral and mental health-related services and questions.

The Call Center--staffed by licensed health professionals in confidential settings--will guide callers to available behavioral health resources.

SBBH Assistant Vice President Kevin Byron made the announcement as part of National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, saying this type of regional, around-the-clock service has not existed in Northeast Arkansas.

Byron said the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of readily available mental health services.

According to the most-recent data from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 20.3 percent of Arkansas adults reported a mental illness within the past year. SAMHSA also cites more than 5.5 percent of Arkansas adults reporting a serious mental illness within the past year, including 4.7 percent experiencing serious thoughts of suicide. Each of these statistics rank above the national average.

Byron said St. Bernards designed the Call Center to operate as a supplemental resource alongside crisis services and hotlines.

The SBBH 24/7 Call Center is available immediately to assist with behavioral health questions at (870) 207-0440.