UTICA, N.Y. — People facing a mental health or substance crisis now have a place to go at any time for immediate support.
The Supportive Crisis Stabilization Center is open 24/7 for anyone in crisis, including those dealing with substance abuse. In 2023, there were 6,300 New Yorkers who died of an overdose, which is one person every 90 minutes, Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham of the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports said.
The center’s peer-based staff can help with stress, anxiety, depression or thoughts of self-harm. They also address transportation problems, food insecurity, grief or other urgent situations.
Mayor Michael Galime of the City of Utica said, “The problem we’ve been trying to solve is how do we care for somebody with the correct support in that first 24 hours but appropriately identify their problem.”
After identifying the problem, patients can connect with service providers if they choose to get help. Jenni Barlow-Gagnon, executive vice president of behavioral health services at UCP, said, “You’ve identified a goal or something that you want to work on. We’re here to help you get there by making that possible through various different resources and tools that we might have to support you in that.”
The center gives immediate help to those in crisis and frees up other resources. Dan Crowell, chief information officer at Upstate Caring Partners, said, “It also relieves the burden on EMS, on the emergency rooms, on police, who otherwise were the first resort for these individuals. So, now that’s available 24/7 in partnership with those exact community partners as well as other agencies in the community that can then back up with housing support, food support, and ongoing medical care, behavior health care.”
This $1.2 million facility is the fifth state-funded Crisis Stabilization Center to open.