County, state officials tour brand-new 24/7 Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-In Center in Harrisburg
HARRISBURG, Pa. — After being under construction for a year, a brand-new mental healthcare facility is set to open its doors in Harrisburg.
On Tuesday, county and state leaders were given a tour of the Connections Emergency Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-In Center. The facility is a collaboration between Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry Counties and Connections Health Solutions.
The facility will be the first in the region to offer immediate access to mental healthcare services without the need for an appointment.
"I hope we're able to fulfill a need that's been lacking in the area," said Kimberly Jones, the vice president of clinical operations at Connections Emergency Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-In Center.
The facility features two crisis stabilization rooms, one for children and one for adults, and a walk-in urgent care. Patients of the urgent care will reportedly be able to see a behavioral health specialist or nursing assistant within 90 minutes.
Jones said the goal is to provide those experiencing a mental health crisis the help they need while keeping them out of the emergency room and jail.
“We’re going to start treatment at minute one and, ideally, move to discharge after connecting them to their counties' resources," said Jones.
Connections Health Solutions currently operates five behavioral crisis clinics in Arizona, Montana, Virginia and Washington.
Cumberland County Commissioner Gary Eichelberger said the walk-in center will provide much-needed crisis care in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry Counties. However, he added that all three counties need more state funding to support other mental health services.
“We’re growing, but the state’s budget has not kept up with that," said Eichelberger. "So, we’re seeing a big shortfall. This is a core issue for our region, and it’s something that affects every community.”
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