New Mental Health Center in Columbus Aims to Ease Overwhelmed ERs

Upon entering the new Franklin County Crisis Care Center, you can only move ahead.

Indeed. The structure was intentionally designed like that, stated Jonathan Thomas, who serves as the chief operations officer of the building. Franklin County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board (ADAMH) From the moment they enter the lobby until they reach the discharge room, an individual receiving treatment never regresses to a previous room, symbolizing that recovery is a "continuously forward-moving journey."

The facility spans 72,000 square feet and can be found at 465 Harmon Avenue in South Franklinton. Upon reaching full functionality, this center will offer round-the-clock service every single day, featuring facilities such as drop-in centers for mental health and substance abuse issues, an urgent care clinic for general medicine, a pharmacy, areas for monitoring patients over a period of up to 23 hours, along with accommodation providing long-term care through 16 hospitalization beds designed for individuals requiring more than one day’s attention.

Additionally, there are family support services available for individuals with loved ones at the center, along with continuity of care resources. These include on-site connections to housing as well as links to external healthcare providers.

Everyone aged 18 and above, irrespective of their immigration background, residential status, or insurance coverage, will shortly have access to these resources. This was stated by the board, emphasizing that this applies universally to all types and levels of mental health crises. The facility follows a 'no-wrong-door' policy, which ensures that anyone who reaches out to them—whether directly or indirectly—will be greeted warmly and provided with suitable assistance and support.

Thomas highlighted that the wide array of care options transform this new crisis center into something akin to a central hub. Despite having inpatient psychiatric units, detox facilities, counseling, and various other services within Franklin County, the primary objective of this center is to act as an essential point of contact for first responders. It will offer numerous services under one roof and facilitate connections with additional resources for individuals needing assistance.

According to Thomas, this method would conserve valuable time for law enforcement officers and other first responders who could otherwise be spending hours searching for appropriate locations to transfer individuals experiencing mental health crises or lingering at emergency departments during patient handoffs.

"It isn't important. Since this is a crisis, please head over to the crisis care center," Thomas stated.

Over $60 million from collective community efforts

Led by the county ADAMH board, the crisis care center represents a substantial community initiative costing over $60 million, which has taken more than ten years to come into fruition. Funders Include details such as the state, the specific county, and the city of Columbus. Also mention the philanthropic donors along with the three primary healthcare institutions serving adults in Central Ohio: OhioHealth, Mount Carmel Health System, and the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Erika Clark Jones, CEO of the Franklin County ADAMH Board, highlighted the extensive planning behind the facility during her statement: “All this demonstrates years of hard work from many individuals.” She underscored the collaborative efforts involving various funding entities, external service providers, and healthcare collaborators who collectively made it possible. “This initiative has the potential to bolster our support systems for mental health,” she added.

Recovery Innovations An international crisis services organization, which has assisted in designing the center throughout the construction phase, will be running it. This group implements strategies that have proven effective across their 50 locations in the U.S., such as addressing patients as "guests."

“An exercise I frequently perform is to mentally say either ‘patient’ or ‘client,’ then follow up with saying ‘guest,’” explained Akemie Jones, assistant director of Learning & Development at Recovery Innovations. “See which term carries the highest standard of service.”

Hospitalizations and extended visits are referred to as "retreats," and the team will not wear scrubs but instead regular clothing similar to what the visitors have on. The facility includes several secured areas outside where people can relax safely, along with cozy seating options. Additionally, there are calm-down rooms featuring customizable light settings designed to reduce sensory input for both participants and workers.

“When they step through the entrance… we aim for them to sense something distinct, as though ‘This place seems different, with individuals who genuinely care about me and are ready to let me show what I can do,’” stated Akemie Jones.

The functioning of the center will be supported by income generated from insurance providers, Medicaid, and managed care organizations, along with funding from the ADAMH tax levy.

The demand for mental health services is anticipated to increase in Franklin County.

Based on information gathered by the Franklin County ADAMH board, about 20% of the county’s approximately 1.3 million inhabitants encounter mental health issues each year. Roughly one out of every ten people struggles with substance abuse or addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Given that Franklin County’s population is projected to rise by 8% within the coming decade, the county ADAMH board anticipates a corresponding surge of 23% in demand for mental health services.

Currently, approximately 30,000 instances of mental health crises are handled annually in Franklin County. These cases often overwhelm bustling hospital emergency rooms; however, authorities anticipate that upon full operation of the new facility, they could manage up to 60% of the adults who now seek help from these nearby ERs.

The crisis center is hosting a community open house on May 15th between 4 PM and 6 PM. Please consider registering your attendance. online.

The medical business and healthcare correspondent, Samantha Hendrickson, can be contacted via email at shendrickson@dispatch.com or through her profile @samanthajhendr on what was previously called Twitter but is now known as X.

The narrative has been refreshed to include a video addition.

The article initially appeared in The Columbus Dispatch. The new Columbus mental health crisis care center seeks to ease overcrowded emergency rooms.

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