This content was originally produced for audio. Certain elements such as tone, sound effects, and music, may not fully capture the intended experience in textual representation. Therefore, the following transcription has been modified for clarity. We recognize not everyone can access the audio podcast. However, for those who can, we encourage subscribing and listening to the original content for a more engaging and immersive experience.
All thoughts and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views held by the institutions with which they are affiliated.
A New Alternative to the ER for Mental Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Crises
Interviewer: In Utah, individuals experiencing a mental health crisis have historically had limited options, whether it be walk-ins at a busy emergency room, or to involve law enforcement, or even trying to just ride it out alone. But the Kem and Carolyn Gardner Mental Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Crisis Center offers a pretty different path. Designed specifically for behavioral health crises, this walk-in facility aims to stabilize, support, and connect individuals with ongoing care in a calm and trauma-informed environment.
Now, to help us walk through how this center kind of reimagines mental health crisis response, we're joined by Natalie McClintock, who is a behavioral health manager with Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ of Utah Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ and the Huntsman Mental Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Institute. Now, Natalie, give us a little bit of a perspective about, you know, crisis response in a more traditional sense. Like, what are some of the ways that people typically in crisis would receive care, and what were maybe some of the difficulties that we had with that?
Natalie: Traditionally, to receive care for a mental health crisis, you had to meet specific criteria for inpatient hospitalization. You were assessed on a specific set of criteria, and you either got the thumbs-up or the thumbs-down to be able to receive that help. Sometimes you were told no because you were too acute, and sometimes you were told no because you weren't acute enough. And it was really hard for the community and family members to really understand what that medical necessity looked like.
What the CCC is doing and providing is allowing a one-stop place for the community to come in and to be assessed and be received with a warm blanket approach, no matter what your crisis looks like. You're not required to have to go through an emergency room. You don't have to go through jail to get that service. You can come in, meet with licensed professionals who can help determine the next best steps and help connect you to resources in the community.
No Referral Needed—Walk-In Access for Immediate Support
Interviewer: Now, I noticed when you were just giving me that description there, you never once mentioned a medical referral, like a PCP doesn't have to tell me, "Hey, you've got to go to this center," or something like that. Is that true?
Natalie: That is true. You do not need a referral from any outpatient provider. Your providers may refer you. We take referrals from community partners all the time, but that is not a requirement. It's a walk-in situation.
What to Expect When You Walk Through the Doors
Interviewer: Wow. Okay. So that seems like a very different approach than what we used to do. And I guess, say someone feels they're in a crisis, and they come to the center, and they walk in, what can they expect?
Natalie: Our building was specifically designed to feel warm and welcoming to the population that we serve. It is a very warm environment, and that is the service that you will get. You will be seen by nurses and providers, and social workers who will make sure that you are not only medically stable, but also psychiatrically stable and provide a warm blanket, both literally and metaphorically. And we will meet with you, develop a treatment plan, and connect you to the next best care pathway.
Who the Crisis Center Serves and What Conditions It Addresses
Interviewer: It sounds really cool resource. But who are the people that this center is for? We know they're adults. We know it's in the Utah area. It's not everywhere. But what kind of mental health conditions can be dealt with there? What are some of the crises that people experience that would be a good fit for the center?
Natalie: Absolutely. Anywhere from anxiety and depression to suicidal ideation. We treat patients who are actively psychotic or may be in a bipolar state of mania. We treat a whole range of mental health concerns. We also look at substance abuse. If you are needing help with either detox or getting connected to medicated-assisted treatment, we can connect you. There's no crisis that we won't help support the community in.
A Starting Point or a Safety Net—Care for All Stages of Crisis
Interviewer: Now, is this only for individuals who maybe have already received a diagnosis, or can it be like a first point of entry into mental health care?
Natalie: It can be a first point of entry into mental health care, or it can be for those individuals who have gone through multiple levels of care. There is no exclusionary criteria.
Short-Term Care with Long-Term Support
Interviewer: How long do people, say, stay at this particular type of center, and like what happens after they've met with someone, after their immediate needs have kind of been dealt with?
Natalie: Absolutely. That is an excellent question, and thank you for bringing that up. So the first point of entry at the CCC is what's called our receiving center, and that is an up to 23-hour observation unit. And that is where you would meet with a provider, nurse, certified crisis worker, or peer support to help determine the next levels of care.
Once you have met with the mental health professionals, we will help determine a treatment plan. That treatment plan may look at connecting you to outpatient recommendations or referrals in the community. That may be connecting you to our Opiate Bridge Program. That is on our second floor. It could also include connecting you to our inpatient programs, if further stabilization is needed.
But that first step is up to 23 hours. Now you don't have to stay for the full 23 hours. Within those 23 hours, you will be receiving care for whatever the treatment plan indicates.
Expanding the Vision—Youth Crisis Care Is Coming Next
Interviewer: My question now is, like, now that this crisis center is open and you're starting to receive patients and so forth, what's next? What's the future of crisis care in the state of Utah?
Natalie: The next step, specifically with Huntsman Mental Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Institute, is to develop a youth crisis care. We are currently in the process of developing that. It will be at 501 at our main campus, and we're hoping to open that in the next several months to be able to provide not only services to adults, but also to youth.
Where to Go and Who to Call During a Mental Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Crisis
Interviewer: It sounds like a really kind of cool center. Just for one more time, say there's a listener out there who's curious, you know, where do they need to go? Who can they call if they or someone in their life is experiencing a crisis?
Natalie: Again, they may call 988, or we are located at 955 West 3300 South in Salt Lake. Just go ahead and come on in.