LANCASTER, Pa. (WHTM) – Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health has officially opened its new behavioral health center on campus, offering an innovative approach to mental health care. The center features a crisis walk-in center and an interventional psychiatry program designed to provide immediate support and treatment for individuals facing behavioral health crises.
A Calm, Supportive Environment
The new facility offers a welcoming, calm, and de-escalated atmosphere, a stark contrast to the high-energy environment typically found in emergency rooms. The behavioral health center is designed to provide immediate access to assessments, treatment, and referrals to additional services, ensuring that individuals in crisis receive the help they need without the usual wait time.
Tracey Lavallias, the executive director of the center, explained that people can walk in and receive an immediate assessment and treatment, eliminating the need to go through multiple stations. “It’s an environment where you can get a respite,” Lavallias said, ensuring that individuals in crisis feel safe and supported from the moment they arrive.
Support for Families and Community Members
The center also aims to provide comfort to families and loved ones of those in crisis. Lavallias emphasized that family members can accompany patients to the center, offering them a space for support during difficult times.
Former state representative Mike Sturla, who played a key role in securing funding for the center, shared personal insight, noting that his own family has faced behavioral health challenges. He stressed the importance of meeting individuals in their crisis where they are and offering help immediately. “The minute they are willing to be helped, if you say, ‘we’ll schedule an appointment for you next week,’ it doesn’t work,” Sturla said.
Addressing Growing Behavioral Health Needs
The opening of the center comes at a time when the demand for mental health and behavioral health services is expected to increase. Lavallias and other leaders at Lancaster General Health predict a rise in diagnoses, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We know that there’s going to be a mental health explosion,” Lavallias remarked.
The National Institute of Mental Health has identified that one in four Pennsylvanians is at risk of or currently dealing with some form of mental health or behavioral health illness. The center is projected to serve around 4,000 patients annually, making it a crucial resource for the community.
Lancaster General Health’s CEO, John Herman, emphasized the importance of the center in responding to the growing mental health crisis. “All diagnoses are expected to increase,” he said, underlining the need for accessible, immediate care.
The behavioral health center is a significant step forward in meeting the mental health needs of the community and providing vital support for those facing crises, as well as their families.
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