Wayne County residents and those in nearby areas now have improved access to mental health crisis support, thanks to a new facility in Honesdale. The Northeast Regional Crisis Stabilization Center has begun offering 24/7 walk-in crisis intervention services, with plans to expand its capabilities soon.
The center officially opened its doors on December 18, and a crisis residential program is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of the year. This program will provide up to eight individuals a temporary stay of up to five days, offering a transitional care solution before moving to inpatient facilities, as described by John Nebzydoski, Wayne County’s behavioral health director.
“There’s no current inpatient psych beds in Wayne County. So everybody’s getting transferred out,” Nebzydoski said, highlighting the necessity of such a facility.
Situated on Park Street, the center broadens the services previously available through Wayne County’s Office of Behavioral and Developmental Programs and Early Intervention (BDPEI) and CCR since 2021. The creation of the center was a collaborative effort involving Wayne County BDPEI, Center for Community Resources, Inc. (CCR), and Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental Health and Developmental Services (MH/DS).
Funding for the center began in 2022 when BDPEI and Carbon-Monroe-Pike MH/DS secured $5.9 million from multiple sources for purchasing and renovating the facility. The center is likened to an urgent care for mental health issues and is already having a community impact.
“Since opening our doors, we have seen an immediate impact within the community,” said Victoria Toomey, CCR outreach coordinator.
Comprehensive Services Available
The walk-in center operates around the clock and is open to all ages, regardless of residence. The crisis residential program will accommodate eight adults, providing a safe space for those who are not ready to return home but do not require immediate inpatient psychiatric care.
“We’re trying to give people a place before they have to take that step of deciding to go inpatient,” Toomey explained. “They can either re-enter into the community, or if they feel like they do need that higher level of care, then we can help facilitate that process of moving forward into a higher level.”
Nebzydoski further clarified the program’s purpose: “We’re looking to serve those individuals who aren’t necessarily safe to go home, but they don’t need to be in a locked inpatient psychiatric unit. They’re here voluntarily. They want the help, and we’re hoping to be able to serve them here in Honesdale, rather than having to ship them to an inpatient unit.”
Certified peer specialists will be part of the staffing at the residential program, providing support and accompanying individuals to necessary appointments. The facility will employ around 40 professionals, including nurses, licensed nurse practitioners, and therapists, with access to a psychiatrist.
Relieving Wayne Memorial Hospital
The new center aims to alleviate the pressure on Wayne Memorial Hospital, the sole hospital serving Wayne and Pike Counties. Emergency rooms are frequently inundated with patients, and mental health crises often rank low in emergency triage.
“Their emergency room is often very busy,” Nebzydoski noted. “We’re comparing this to an urgent care. If you’re in mental health crisis, you’re not bleeding, you’re in reasonably good physical health, please come here.”
Toomey emphasized the benefits for both the new center and the hospital: “It’s a symbiotic relationship. Putting a person in crisis in the position to be able to meet with the mental health specialist immediately, and then also putting the ER in a position where they’re able to treat what they need to treat in a timely manner,” she said.
Grant-Powered Launch
The center’s operations are initially funded by grants, enabling it to offer free care at the outset. This will eventually transition to a model where insurance billing is routine. According to Nebzydoski, the walk-in center will soon be in-network for Medicaid recipients from various counties, and the crisis residential program will also serve Medicaid recipients in Wayne and surrounding counties.
“But we’re working towards, we need to be able to bill private insurance eventually,” Nebzydoski added.
Toomey expressed gratitude for the community’s positive reception: “Because it’s the first of its kind, I think people are interested in it, and they want to learn more about it,” she said. She emphasized the importance of keeping the conversation about mental health going to reduce stigma.
