Advocates for people with serious mental illness celebrated several new services that started this year for people in crisis in Alabama at an annual walk.

The Birmingham chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) held its annual walk Saturday at Railroad Park. Leaders of the organization said they had a lot to celebrate in 2023.

Susan Sallin, president of NAMI Birmingham, said the opening of the new Craig Crisis Care Center, increased crisis intervention training for Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office employees and the new 988 helpline have all improved care for people with mental illness. Members of NAMI have been pushing for the creation of a crisis care center for decades.

“This is a huge accomplishment,” said Susan Baty-Pierce of NAMI. “I remember talking about this when the founding families first came together in 1985.”

Gov. Kay Ivey cut the ribbon on the Jefferson County crisis care center in January. The facility, which cost $6 million to build, provides an alternative for people in crisis who would otherwise go to the emergency room or the jail. It provides short-term stabilization services and referrals for follow-up care.

The organization has also provided extensive training for local law enforcement to improve interactions with people with mental illness. Research by the Washington Post and others has found that people with mental illness face higher risks during encounters with police. The training helps officers learn how to deescalate confrontations with mentally ill citizens.

Alabama launched its 988 helpline last year, part of a nationwide rollout aimed at helping those with suicidal thoughts or other mental health needs. One year after its launch, the 988 helpline had received 45,000 calls and messages, according to the Alabama Department of Mental Health. This year, lawmakers proposed a fee to fund the helpline, but it stalled in the Legislature.

State leaders have plans to expand the crisis care system to relieve pressure on jails and emergency rooms tasked with treating people with mental illness. Still, big gaps remain in care, advocates said. The state has a shortage of mental health workers, which can leave some citizens without access to treatment.