08/11/2024
Philadelphia now has its first urgent care facility for mental health needs that will provide psychiatric evaluations, quick counseling sessions, prescription refills, and referrals.
A white brick building near North Broad Street and West Allegheny Avenue houses the new walk-in clinic, run through a partnership between mental health services provider Merakey and the city. The clinic is funded by the city and operated by Merakey, a regional and national behavioral health organization. It will officially open to patients beginning September 3.
Inside, calming music plays in the waiting room and artwork by local Philadelphians decorates the walls. Exam suites look like tiny living rooms with couches, comfy chairs, coffee tables and soft rugs.The walk-in clinic will not provide emergency crisis services, differentiating it from existing city Crisis Response Centers that work with police and 9-8-8 mental health hotline workers who respond to crisis calls throughout the city.
For patients who arenât in crisis but still need a higher level of care for mental health and substance use needs, Connell said the walk-in clinic will provide same-day âhotâ hand-offs to nearby treatment programs and services.
âWhat that means is, if you come here for urgent care services and you need a high level of support, our job is to stabilize you, to identify what your needs are, and we are referring out into your community,â she said. Full article www.phillytrib.com
