New York State Announces Opening of Supportive Crisis Stabilization Center in Brooklyn

NEW YORK STATE ANNOUNCES OPENING OF SUPPORTIVE CRISIS STABILIZATION CENTER IN BROOKLYN

Services for the UnderServed Opens 24/7 Facility Providing Stabilization Services for New Yorkers Experiencing a Behavioral Health Crisis

State-Supported Crisis Stabilization Centers Offer Alternative to Unnecessary Emergency Room Visits

The state Office of Mental Health today announced the opening of a new facility to provide urgent treatment to New Yorkers experiencing a behavioral health crisis in the East New York area of Brooklyn, helping them to avoid unnecessary emergency room visits. Licensed in partnership with the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the state-supported center operated by Services for the UnderServed will provide a safe, healing space where individuals and families can receive immediate care during a mental health or substance use emergency.

"Supportive Crisis Stabilization centers offer an alternative to often busy emergency room care, where New Yorkers in crisis can receive caring and supportive behavioral health services for up to 24 hours," Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. "This S:US facility will provide a welcoming space where individuals and families can access high-quality treatment and successfully connect with needed services. With the opening of this latest crisis stabilization center, we are supporting Governor Hochul's ongoing commitment to expand access to mental health care in communities statewide."

Located at 2862 Fulton St., the S:US facility was awarded $1.2 million in start-up funding and $4.5 million in operating funding over five years and is the sixth Crisis Stabilization Center funded by the state to become licensed. Supportive Crisis Stabilization Centers offer voluntary, short-term support for up to 24 hours, where patients receive immediate care from mental health professionals, nurses, and peer specialists.

OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, "These programs allow individuals experiencing a substance use or mental health crisis to find immediate help and support at any time of day or night, and for many are the first step towards recovery. As we expand these facilities across the state, we are seeing success from this approach, and we look forward to the positive impact this facility will have in the New York City area."

Individuals experiencing emotional distress, mental health symptoms, substance use challenges, or other acute stressors are met with immediate stabilization, therapeutic support, and compassionate care. They are also provided with a clear path to ongoing care within the community through discharge and aftercare planning.

"For too long, New Yorkers in distress have had limited options beyond emergency rooms or systems not designed to meet their needs," S:US President and CEO Perry Perlmutter said. "Here, we created a space where people can walk in, be met with compassion, and receive immediate support in an environment built for stabilization, dignity, and healing."

Designed to serve individuals of all backgrounds, the new center fills a critical gap in the state's continuum of care, offering immediate, community-based services. The new facility will also provide an alternative to emergency departments and coordinate with other services, including local mobile crisis providers, law enforcement, and community treatment.

"At the Supportive Crisis Stabilization Center, we respond to people the moment they arrive in crisis, with immediate care focused on helping them feel safe, calm, and supported," S:USSenior Vice President of Recovery & Treatment Services Dr. Sasha-Marie Robinson said. "By combining clinical care and peer support in a welcoming, home-like setting, we address urgent needs and develop a thoughtful, individualized plan that connects people to ongoing care and recovery."

Overall, S:US is the ninth stabilization center to be dually licensed statewide, and the third Supportive Crisis Stabilization center. New York State also funds Intensive Crisis Stabilization centers, including Helio Health in Syracuse, the Champlain Valley Family Center in Plattsburgh, CN Guidance & Counseling Services in Hicksville, the Family Service League in Hauppauge, and BestSelf in Buffalo.

In addition to utilizing these centers, New Yorkers experiencing or who know someone experiencing a behavioral health issue may also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This service connects them to trained crisis counselors 24/7, who can help anyone thinking about suicide, struggling with substance use, a mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress.

Likewise, New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). Find available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care on the OASAS website.

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