What's happening?
According to a news release, the Crisis Stabilization Unit will once again become the third unit of its kind statewide after being forced to shut down in November 2021 due to staffing shortages. The remodel and relicensing of the unit was funded in part by American Rescue Plan Act monies from the Montgomery County Commissioners Court, and Tri-County will receive additional funding through the state budget.
The unit can hold 16 adults at a time and provides a treatment environment with medical personnel and mental health professionals to handle adults with acute mental health needs.
What they're saying
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we have seen a rapidly growing demand for all of our services, which is continuing postpandemic, and it was important to both [the] Tri-County board of trustees and Montgomery County Commissioners Court that we reopen the Crisis Stabilization Unit,” said Evan Roberson, executive director of Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare, in a news release. “This is a critical resource for our community, especially for local law enforcement and first responders, and provides care close to home.”
Zooming out
The reopening of the center follows a recent rise in service requests from local law enforcement to meet rising mental health needs countywide. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office applied for a $400,000 grant to expand its crisis intervention team, while the Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constable's Office also received an additional Crisis Assessment Specialist for its mental health program. Mental health needs have grown steadily since 2020, according to data from Tri-County, and are expected to continue increasing and stay elevated for the next few years.
