Children’s mental health has worsened since the pandemic and families often don’t know where to turn when their child is facing an urgent mental or behavioral health crisis.
Now, thanks to legislation CEA strongly supported that passed in 2022, there are Urgent Crises Centers for children and teens in four cities around the state. These walk-in centers provide help for issues not requiring emergency department level of care including:
- Thoughts of suicide or self-injury
- Feelings of depression, anxiety, or hopelessness
- Out-of-control behaviors
- Substance misuse
- Any mental health crisis
No appointment or referral is necessary for this outpatient support.
At these centers trained staff provide crisis stabilization support, complete a comprehensive mental health assessment, work with the family to develop a safety plan, and connect the child directly to additional services.
Urgent Care Centers are available at the following locations.
- The Village for Families and Children in Hartford;
- Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven;
- The Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut in New London; and
- Wellmore Behavioral Health in Waterbury.
Share fliers in English and Spanish to ensure families at your school know about the support available.
