#United States #Behavioral Health #Harrisburg #Connections Health #Harrisburg PA

Connections Health Solutions Opens Emergency Behavioral Health Center in Harrisburg, PA

Connections Health Solutions has taken a significant step toward enhancing mental health support in Southcentral Pennsylvania with the recent opening of an emergency behavioral health crisis walk-in center. Located at 1100 S. Cameron Street in Harrisburg, this facility is designed to provide urgent care for individuals ages 14 and older who are facing behavioral health emergencies, including mental health and substance use crises.

This innovative center is a result of collaborative funding from Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties and operates around the clock, every day of the year. It includes a mobile crisis response team to reach individuals in immediate need throughout the community.

Addressing Community Needs

Colin LeClair, CEO of Connections Health Solutions, emphasized the center's mission to improve access to emergency behavioral health care. He stated, "We believe we can radically reduce the use of emergency departments, jails, and unnecessary hospitalizations for mental health and substance use emergencies." The aim is not just to provide immediate care but also to facilitate long-term treatment solutions that are cost-effective for the healthcare system.

The model implemented at the center has received accolades from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, highlighting its effectiveness in ensuring care in the least restrictive environment possible.

Comprehensive Services Offered

The Harrisburg center's services include:

• - Walk-in behavioral health urgent care
• - 23-hour crisis stabilization services
• - Post-acute crisis support

While adult services commenced immediately, the youth-specific services are set to launch in January 2025. The mobile crisis team also began its operations recently, providing on-the-spot assistance to both youths and adults experiencing behavioral health emergencies. Importantly, the center's services are available to everyone, regardless of insurance status, ensuring no one is turned away due to severity or means.

Community Reactions

Local leaders have expressed strong support for this initiative. Kelly Neiderer, Cumberland County Commissioner, noted the importance of tailored crisis care and remarked, "Through the collaboration between Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties, along with Connections, we can deliver vital care that eases the strain on first responders and hospitals."

George P. Hartwick III, Dauphin County Commissioner, highlighted the opportunity that the crisis walk-in center presents to connect individuals to services rather than defaulting to emergency rooms or jails. Frank Campbell, Perry County Commissioner, described the center as a potential lifesaver for individuals facing mental health emergencies.

A Network of Support

Connections Health Solutions already manages several prominent emergency behavioral health response centers across the nation. In addition to this newest center in Harrisburg, the organization operates two extensive facilities in Arizona and one in Washington, with plans to expand further into Virginia and Pennsylvania in the coming years.

With a mission that spans over 15 years, Connections Health Solutions works diligently to craft and implement systems that can support behavioral health crisis care. Their approach aims to connect individuals with necessary resources efficiently, fostering a quicker return to their everyday lives while maintaining a focus on quality of care.

For more insight into their initiatives and available crisis resources, visit connectionshs.com.