The New York State Office of Mental Health announced the opening of CN Guidance & Counseling’s Community Crisis Center on Long Island to provide urgent treatment to New Yorkers experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis so they can avoid unnecessary visits to the emergency room.
Developed with $9.6 million in state funding and licensed in partnership with the Office of Addiction Services and Support, the new center is located at 950 South Oyster Bay Rd. in Hicksville and will provide urgent mental health care services in Nassau and Suffolk counties to help stabilize people and connect them to other community services and supports.
Operated by CN Guidance & Counseling, the center will operate 24/7, offering screenings, assessments, therapeutic interventions, peer support, ongoing observation, care collaboration and discharge planning.
They will also coordinate with local mobile crisis service providers and law enforcement, as well as community treatment and support services.
“CN Guidance & Counseling’s Community Crisis Center will provide a safe and supportive environment where individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis can receive quality care in a welcoming and therapeutic environment, with the goal of continuing their recovery process,” said Dr. Ann Sullivan, Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health.
“These Crisis Centers represent another way Governor Hochul’s focus on mental health is providing greater access to care for all New Yorkers,” he added.
The Community Crisis Center is dual-certified by OMH and OASAS to provide an effective, cost-effective, staffed alternative to often stressful hospital emergency departments. The center will maintain collaborative relationships within the New York State system of care to ensure that the individuals they serve can access follow-up services after their discharge.
It should be noted that CN Guidance received $8.6 million in state aid and seed funding to carry out the project, in addition to $1 million in equity financing to develop this center. The facility is expected to serve up to 2,000 New Yorkers a year and can accommodate 24 people a day.
Suicide prevention
In addition to using this center, people who are experiencing or know someone who is experiencing a behavioral health problem can contact the Suicide and Crisis Prevention Line 988which connects them with trained crisis counselors 24/7 to help those experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use issues, a mental health crisis, or any other type of emotional distress.
988 call centers in New York received nearly 46,000 calls in October alone, making it the second busiest service nationwide.
Additionally, New Yorkers struggling with addiction, or whose loved ones are suffering from addiction, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or texting HOPENY (short code 467369).
Find available addiction treatmentsincluding crisis/detox services, inpatient, residential or outpatient care, on the website OASAS.
