DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – Alabama officials gathered in Dothan to mark a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to address its mental health crisis. Governor Kay Ivey, alongside state lawmakers and mental health advocates, celebrated the opening of SpectraCare’s new Crisis Center, a facility designed to offer critical support for those experiencing mental health emergencies.
For years, Alabama has struggled to provide adequate mental health care, especially in rural areas, where individuals in crisis often have limited options outside of jails and hospitals. This new center, however, represents a pivotal shift in how the state addresses mental health crises, particularly in the southeastern region.
After two years of delays, the Crisis Diversion Center is set to open its doors to the public, offering a 24/7 service that will provide immediate care to those in need.
Kimberly Boswell, the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health, expressed the importance of the center, saying, “It has been such a journey trying to figure out how to get people the care they need immediately. To have a facility that is open 24/7 is a real game-changer for us in the state. As you know, a mental health crisis doesn’t occur between the hours of 8 and 5 every day.”
This facility is part of a broader initiative to improve mental health services in Alabama. State Representative Steve Clouse (R-Ozark) has played a key role in securing legislative support and funding for mental health initiatives in the state. “The last four or five years have seen the most funds put into the mental health system in the state of Alabama,” Clouse said. “We’ve had five Crisis Centers open, and this makes six. Now, our southeast region will have access to care, covering twenty of the state’s 67 counties. I’m mighty proud of that.”
The new center is designed to offer a comprehensive approach to mental health care, with professionals available to guide patients through a mental health crisis. Governor Ivey, who highlighted mental health as a key priority in her recent State of the State address, emphasized the significance of the new facility in improving access to care. “This definitely will help our people, and this facility has three levels of care so the patient can get what they need and get on a stronger, new path,” she said.
Melissa Kirkland from SpectraCare explained that the Crisis Center bridges the gap between law enforcement, hospitals, and mental health care providers, filling a critical void in the region’s mental health infrastructure. “This facility will provide the support people need before they end up in a hospital or jail,” she said.
Boswell also pointed out that the new center addresses another significant issue: the cost barriers that prevent many individuals from seeking help. By providing affordable care, the facility aims to make mental health services more accessible to those in need.
The opening of the SpectraCare Crisis Center is a hopeful step forward in addressing Alabama’s mental health challenges, offering a dedicated space for individuals to receive the care they deserve during a mental health emergency.
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