EL CAJON, Calif. (KGTV) — County officials marked the beginning of construction on Thursday for a new Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) in El Cajon, dedicated to mental healthcare. While the county already operates six crisis stabilization units, this new facility on S. Magnolia Ave. will be the first in East County, significantly reducing travel time for residents seeking care.
Connie Johnson, who works with Exodus Recovery—the company contracted by the county to provide patient care—shared her personal experience with mental health challenges, emphasizing the need for such a facility. “I really could have used a CSU. Becoming ill doesn’t come with a handbook,” Johnson said. “It doesn’t tell you how to navigate the complicated system. I really could have used one; it would have been really helpful.”
The new crisis unit will cover 14,000 square feet and offer services such as therapy, medication management, and addiction support. Currently, Sharp Grossmont Hospital reports that 5% of its emergency room patients seek help for mental health issues. The hospital noted that patients treated at crisis stabilization units are less likely to require long-term psychiatric care or encounter legal troubles.
District Two San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson highlighted the importance of the new facility. “I want to make sure that people don’t have to be transported to North County or South Bay to get the help they need,” Anderson said. “They’ll be able to come here, we’ll be able to stabilize them, and they’ll be able to resume their life in a normal fashion.”
The $28.75 million facility will be funded by the Mental Health Services Act, an opioid settlement, and other government revenues. It is expected to open next fall.
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