Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier Opens State-Licensed Supportive Crisis Stabilization Center
New Facility Results from a $6 Million Investment of State Funding; Provides Alternative to Unnecessary Emergency Department Visits
The New York State Office of Mental Health announced the opening of a new supportive crisis stabilization center to provide around-the-clock treatment to New Yorkers experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Jointly licensed by the Office of Mental Health and Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the Supportive Crisis Stabilization Center is operated by the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier and will provide individuals and families with an alternative to an unnecessary visit to an emergency department.
“Crisis Stabilization Centers play a critical role in helping New Yorkers get care during a behavioral health crisis and begin their path toward recovery and wellness,” OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “The Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier’s facility in Binghamton will enable individuals and families to receive timely, high-quality care in a welcoming setting and avoid the often-stressful emergency room. State-funded centers like these represent Governor Hochul’s sustained investments in our mental health system, ensuring everyone can get the care they need whenever they need it.”
“These programs serve a vital role in linking individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis to immediate care, no matter what time of day they need it,” OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said. “This quick connection to help and support can often be the first step in recovery. As we continue to open more of these programs across the state, we are giving more New Yorkers the opportunity to access these services and making a positive impact in communities throughout New York.”
Located at 34 West State Street in Binghamton, this new Supportive Crisis Stabilization Center provides immediate stabilization services and therapeutic support to individuals experiencing emotional distress, mental health symptoms, substance use challenges, or other behavioral health crisis symptoms. OMH is providing $3.8 million in operating funding over five years, in addition to one-time awards of $1 million in capital funding and $1.2 million in startup funding.
The Binghamton center, located in a renovated former pharmacy space, offers walk-in services to adults, adolescents, children, and families 365 days a year. In addition to the new center, Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier operates a network of other crisis services in the region, including a mobile crisis response team and a Supportive Crisis Residence.
Crisis Stabilization Centers offer voluntary short-term person-centered support for up to 24 hours. Service recipients receive immediate care from behavioral health professionals, nurses, and peer specialists. The centers provide an expertly staffed, effective, and cost-efficient alternative to often-stressful hospital emergency departments.
With an emphasis on peer support that focuses on resilience and recovery, such centers also help to maintain collaborative relationships within the state’s system of care to ensure individuals can find and access follow-up services.
The facility in Binghamton is the 10th state-licensed Crisis Stabilization Center to open. There are centers also operating in Brooklyn, Buffalo, Hauppauge, Hicksville, Kingston, Plattsburgh, Poughkeepsie, Syracuse, and Utica, with several others in development.
OMH and OASAS have reissued a funding opportunity for establishing five crisis stabilization centers. This includes three supportive centers, including one each for the Central New York, North Country, and Long Island regions; and two intensive centers in select areas of New York City.
Supportive Crisis Stabilization Centers provide support and assistance to individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crisis symptoms, offering services for those experiencing challenges in daily life that do not pose a likelihood of serious harm. Intensive Crisis Stabilization Centers provide urgent treatment to individuals experiencing an acute mental health or substance use crisis for rapid access to services to assist in diversion from a higher level of care.
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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