The Alamance Behavioral Health Center in Burlington, North Carolina, has expanded access to mental health services since its opening nearly a year ago. Funded primarily through Medicaid and state funds, the center provides walk-in urgent care and a no-barriers peer living room, diverting individuals from emergency rooms and jails at no cost to patients.
The center has witnessed a substantial increase in visitors, with monthly attendance rising from 720 in October to 980 in January. Data shows that 90% of those who visited would have ended up in jail or the ER without this facility. Donald Reuss from Vaya Health emphasized that individuals in crisis need straightforward access to services, which the center offers.
The facility, located at 963 Kirkpatrick Road, features a pharmacy, a mobile crisis team, and monthly family support meetings. A new 16-bed inpatient unit is set to open soon, allowing patients to stay up to a week for more intensive care.
Historically, mental health services have been fragmented, making it difficult for individuals to find help. The Alamance crisis center aims to centralize these services. Managed by Vaya Health and operated by RHA Health Services, the center is part of a broader initiative supported by an $835 million investment in behavioral health included in North Carolina’s 2023 state budget. This funding was facilitated by President Joe Biden’s Medicaid expansion.
While the center currently bills Medicaid for services, advocates are pushing for long-term sustainability as private insurance companies have been slow to adapt to these nontraditional service models. Kelly Crosbie, director of the state’s Division of Mental Health, noted the need for more insurers to contribute fairly to the funding of these necessary services.
The crisis center has gained strong support from local law enforcement, with approximately 75 drop-offs from officers each month. Previously, officers would spend hours taking individuals in crisis to emergency departments, but now they can drop them off at the center in about 30 minutes. This efficiency allows officers to return to their patrols more quickly while ensuring individuals in distress receive the help they need.
The peer living room offers a non-clinical environment for individuals who may be hesitant to engage with traditional mental health services. Staffed by peer support specialists, this space has become a valuable resource, allowing people to share their experiences and encourage each other in their recovery journeys. No appointments or paperwork are required, making it accessible to all.
As the center operates amid potential federal Medicaid cuts, community leaders are concerned about the future of such vital services. The Alamance County Sheriff’s Office has expressed confidence in the new crisis hub, recognizing its importance in providing immediate support to individuals in need. The center’s convenient location near a medical hospital also ensures that those needing medical attention can receive it promptly.
The Alamance crisis hub exemplifies how integrated mental health services can improve community health outcomes and reduce the burden on emergency services. Moving forward, stakeholders are advocating for broader insurance coverage to ensure that these essential services remain available for everyone in need.
