HAMPTON—Riverside Health System recently announced the establishment of the region’s first standalone psychiatric emergency department, which is set to open in late 2023. The emergency department (ED) is being implemented as a way to meet the needs of a growing mental health problem in the area. The psychiatric ED will be the latest addition to Riverside’s Behavioral Health Center Campus, which is located on Executive Drive in Hampton.
The facility will be a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week support option for community members who may be experiencing a psychiatric crisis. Patients in need of support will be cared for by mental health specialists trained in the best techniques for assisting patients with non-physical care needs.
“When facing a mental health crisis, many people are unsure of where to go, which often leads them to law enforcement or a traditional emergency room setting,” said Stacey Johnson, executive director of the Riverside Behavioral Health Center, in a press release. “While both provide the best support they can, we recognize our community needs more personalized, compassionate mental health care. With 24/7 access to a psychiatric-specific emergency department, the community will have greater access to fully integrated, whole-person care during their time of greatest need. We are proud to be another healing hand for our community to grow stronger.”
Johnson went on to say that psychiatric emergency departments or urgent care clinics that specialize in mental and behavioral health are becoming more popular across the country. This is due in part to the fact that general emergency departments can be very stimulating, which is counter-productive for people in a mental health crisis who may do better in a de-stimulated environment.
For additional information about the Riverside Behavioral Health Center, visit https://www.riversideonline.com/rbhc.
