Psychiatric Intake Response Center 2025 Annual Report

PIRC FUTURE PLANS

Behavioral Health department employees supported Mental Health Awareness month in May. PIRC team members represented are back left to right; PIRC, Psychiatric Consultation-Liaison, and Alabama Pediatric Psychiatry Medical Director Dr. Jesse Tobias “Toby” C. Martinez, Jr.; PIRC Therapists Susan Smith, Faith Lowe, Shannon Messina, and Leigh McKay; and PIRC Director Cindy Jones.

PIRC Therapist Ashley Loftis, right, with PIRC Director Cindy Jones, left, celebrated Loftis receiving three years of service award. Loftis also works full-time as the Director of Mental Health Programs for the Addiction Prevention Coalition. APC is a community partner whose aim is to eliminate addiction in Central Alabama.

There were many ways the PIRC/Psychiatric Consult teams impacted children’s mental health this year. We continued to reduce strain on Children’s Emergency Department by consulting on those in crisis. The PIRC remains an entry point for those looking for mental health services. Accessing our ever-growing database helped callers get one step closer to care. Community outreach focused more on rural Alabama communities, who have higher rates of bullying, kids considering suicide, and mental health provider shortages.

2026 Goals

» Intervene, empower, and support caregivers and patients.

» Reduce stigma through education and advocacy.

» Focus PIRC database listings on updating and adding statewide Applied Behavioral Analysts (ABA) providers.

» Develop marketing strategies for greater statewide outreach, including rural counties.

» Continue partnering with the PATHS program to support statewide pediatricians, family practice physicians, and nurse practitioners.

» Identify new partnerships with community stakeholders.

“You helped me with a 13-year-old who was suicidal. Me, mother, and child did a three-way call and talked through things. PIRC helped her get help. It worked beautifully.”

Melissa McNally, MD, Partners in Pediatrics, Montgomery

14 2025 PSYCHIATRIC INTAKE RESPONSE CENTER ANNUAL REPORT