Catch up quickly: Ohio has started construction on a new behavioral health urgent care and crisis stabilization unit in St. Clairsville, serving Belmont, Harrison, and Monroe counties. It’s part of a $90 million initiative by Governor Mike DeWine to enhance mental health services statewide, according to WTRF 7 News.
The big picture: This facility, the first of its kind in the region, will provide 24/7 crisis assessments and eight in-patient crisis stabilization beds. It aims to address the critical lack of mental health care in these counties, keeping people in mental health crises out of emergency rooms and jail cells.
By the numbers:
- $7.3 million facility cost, with $6.3 million funded by the state.
- 24/7 walk-in crisis assessments and eight stabilization beds.
What we’re hearing: Governor DeWine stressed the importance of preventing mental health crises from escalating into deadly encounters with law enforcement: “We want to prevent these tragedies.”
Zoom out: A 2022 study found the current mental health crisis system in Belmont, Harrison, and Monroe counties “scarce, inefficient, and lacking capacity.” This facility is a direct response to those gaps.
Why it matters: Mental health care access is crucial to preventing emergencies from turning fatal. This facility will offer specialized care for conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and trauma-related crises.
The Life Anew Angle: BIPOC and underrepresented communities are often disproportionately affected by the lack of access to timely mental health services. Life Anew Behavioral Health is committed to bridging these gaps by offering holistic, culturally sensitive care that empowers individuals and families. Facilities like this one align with Life Anew’s mission, ensuring that more people in underserved areas can get the crisis support they need to stabilize and thrive.
