Capital Region, N.Y. (WRGB) During Mental Health Awareness Month, Ellis Medicine is highlighting two programs designed to give Capital Region residents immediate mental health support in a calm, non-hospital setting.
Located inside the State Street Health Center in Schenectady, Family Room and the Living Room provide walk-in mental health services aimed at helping people through emotional distress or crisis without requiring an emergency room visit.
The Family Room serves children and teens ages 5 years to 17, with Ellis noting it can also accommodate some children as young as 4 1/2 years old. The program opened in 2024 and was modeled after the success of the Living Room, Ellis Medicine’s adult crisis diversion program that launched in 2018.
According to Ellis Medicine, the Family Room offers youth and families a welcoming space with social workers, case managers and peer counselors available for immediate support, referrals and coping assistance. No appointment is required, and visitors can stay as long as needed during operating hours.
Ellis says the goal is to reduce barriers to care and provide an alternative to emergency departments, which can often feel overwhelming for people experiencing a mental health crisis. The Family Room reports that 85% of visitors avoid emergency room visits after using the service, while many are connected with ongoing outpatient mental health care.
The Living Room offers similar services for adults 18 and older. Ellis describes it as the first program of its kind in the Capital Region and says it provides supportive therapy, stress reduction strategies and connections to community resources and treatment services.
Community response to the programs has been positive. In online discussions, Capital Region residents have described the services as a valuable and compassionate alternative for those seeking immediate mental health support.
Both programs are located at 1023 State Street in Schenectady and are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information about Ellis Medicine’s mental health services, visit Ellis Medicine Mental Health Services