Crisis Center

Present Day
Present Day
Crisis Center

The Alachua County Crisis Center offers 24 hr/day crisis and suicide intervention phone counseling to all residents of Alachua County. Annually the Center responds to over 40,000 calls on our crisis lines. In addition to the crisis line, during times of community disaster, the Crisis Center's Rumor Control Line has responded to an additional 10,000 calls (over 40,000 during the 2004 hurricane season), from citizens seeking information, comfort, and support.  Staff and volunteers work over 52,000 hours annually to fully operate our programs.  For more information about our range of services, please visit the Services section or contact us at 352-264-6785.  For information on how to volunteer, please visit the How to Volunteer section.


True
Our History
Our History

In 1969 this area was deemed a good site in which to begin research on suicide. Dr. Richard McGee, of the University of Florida Clinical Psychology Department, administered a grant funded with federal, local and university money to study the incidence of suicide. Early on it was noted that not only was this a good research site, but also a community in need of assistance. Thus, in December 1969, the Suicide and Crisis Intervention Service (SCIS) was opened.

The Information & Referral Service (I&R) was founded in 1972. These services merged in 1975 to form the Alachua County Crisis Center. In 1983, I&R became a separate program under United Way. The Victim Services & Rape Crisis Programs were added to the Center in 1979 and 1981 respectively. In October 1982, the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) became conjoined with the Center to form the Department of Volunteer Services. In 1984, the Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center became a separate program under the Department of Volunteer Services.

Since 1991, the Crisis Center has functioned as an office of the Department of Community Support Services, which is administered by the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners. The Center offers most of its direct services through the use of highly trained volunteers and graduate students in mental health fields. Five professional staff share responsibility for administration, supervision, coordination of direct services to clients, pre-service and in-service training of approximately 120 volunteers per year as well as community consultation and education. These staff positions include the Director, a clinical coordinator, a volunteer coordinator, a training coordinator and a special projects coordinator.​ 

False
Map
Map
False
​​

​​​​​​Due to Florida's very broad public records law, most written communications to and from Alachua County employees are public records, and available to the public and media upon request. This means email communication with the Crisis Center may be subject to public disclosure and therefore, not confidential.

If any accommodations are needed for persons with disabilities, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at (352) 374-5275 or (352) 374-5284 TDD

Contact

  • Crisis Center
  • John Henry Thomas, M.D. Center
  • 218 SE 24th Street
  • Gainesville, FL 32641
  • Phone: 352-264-6789
  • TDD/TTY: 352-955-2449

Numbers Available 24/7

  • Crisis Line
    352-264-6789

    National Suicide Hotline
    1-800-SUICIDE
    (1-800-784-2433)

    National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    1-800-273-TALK
    (1-800-273-8255) 

    Nacional de Prevencion del Suicidio
    1-888-628-9454

    Rumor Control
    352-264-6557
​​

Staff Contact Information

  • Alexandra Martinez, Ed.S., LMFT
  • Director
  • John Henry Thomas, M.D. Center
  • 218 SE 24th Street
  • Gainesville, FL 32641
  • Phone: 352-264-6792
  • Fax: 352-264-6703
  • TDD/TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)
  • Kevin Sosa, LMHC
  • Training Coordinator
  • John Henry Thomas, M.D. Center
  • Phone: 352-264-6781
  • TDD/TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)
  • Hannah Dykehouse, Ed.S.
  • Project Coordinator
  • John Henry Thomas, M.D. Center
  • 218 SE 24th Street
  • Gainesville, FL 32641
  • Phone: 352-264-6790
  • TDD/TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)
  • Ashley Bobroff
  • Volunteer Program Supervisor
  • John Henry Thomas, M.D. Center
  • Phone: 352-264-6779
  • TDD/TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)
  • Vacant
  • Clinical Community Specialist
  • John Henry Thomas, M.D. Center
  • Phone: 352-264-6780
  • TDD/TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)
  • Ariel Drescher, Ed.S., LMHC
  • Case Coordinator
  • John Henry Thomas, M.D. Center
  • 218 SE 24th Street
  • Gainesville, FL 32641
  • Phone: 352-264-6761
  • TDD/TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)
  • Amanda DiLorenzo-Garcia, Ph.D
  • Clinical Supervisor
  • John Henry Thomas, M.D. Center
  • Phone: 352-264-6791
  • TDD/TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)
  • Vacant
  • Mobile Response Team Specialist
  • John Henry Thomas, M.D. Center
  • Phone: 352-264-6790
  • TDD/TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)
  • Kelley Pace
  • Volunteer Coordinator
  • John Henry Thomas, M.D. Center
  • 218 SE 24th Street
  • Gainesville, FL 32641
  • Phone: 352-264-6782
  • TDD/TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​