HYANNIS – For those who struggle with mental health OR dependencea new structure offers hope and help for recovery.
“We’ve been offering mobile services for the past five years, but this is the first time we’ve had all of these services under one roof, creating a cleaner path for individuals to receive ongoing treatment,” said Diane Santoro. , vice president of behavioral health. integration into Bay Cove Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.
The center, which opened its new facility at 116 Camp St. on Jan. 3, offers mobile crisis intervention, outpatient behavioral health care, on-site crisis intervention and assessment, ongoing therapy and prescription medications, and opioid use disorder treatment medications, for both adults and the young people.
By summer, the nonprofit is slated to move all of its services under one roof to its permanent location adjacent to Cape Cod Hospital.
“This initiative is focused on restructuring access to community-based mental health services for all,” Santoro said.
The center’s goal is to go beyond fixing a crisis.
The center’s own people with experience in the system provide support and resources for individuals and families in navigating the complexities of the behavioral health care system. According to Santoro, the main goal is to provide ongoing support for patients in crisis.
The respite center also provides referrals and helps connect patients to other services in the community.
“It’s not just about fixing a crisis; it’s also about getting them the help they need to get ongoing treatment and support within the community,” Santoro said.
More:Patients wait days at Cape Cod ERs for behavioral health care. That is why.
Bay Cove took over mobile crisis response duties from the state Department of Mental Health
Parent organization Bay Cove Human Services previously provided mobile teams that met with patients struggling with mental health issues and also operated a seven-bed facility in Hyannis. Bay Cove Human Services is a private, non-profit organization that took over mobile crisis response duties from the state Department of Mental Health in May 2017.
“In addition to traditional prescribing and therapy, we offer peer recovery and (guidance on navigating the mental health care system),” Santoro said.
Cape Cod Healthcare prescribes medication for Bay Cove’s crisis stabilization unit and outpatient clinic. Bay Cove is also connected to the Duffy Health Center, with a referral pathway specifically for patients needing treatment for opioid use disorder.
After initial evaluation and assessment, if a patient requires hospitalization or a more secure setting, the center works with Cape Cod Healthcare and transfers patients to the emergency department or a secure facility.
Previous coverage:The virtual forum addresses the impact of the pandemic on mental health organizations
The seven-bed Bay Cove facility was closed after a fire in October.
The Bay Cove Crisis Stabilization Unit, a seven-bed facility designed for short-term stays, was closed due to a fire in October. According to Santoro, the facility is expected to reopen by the end of March.
The center offers 24-hour hotline access and same-day access to emergency services for all patients, regardless of insurance status. The center can be reached by phone at (833) 229-2683, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information, visit https://www.baycovecapecod.org/
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