Knox County
Behavioral Health Crisis Center
Where Healing Begins
Your Partner in Wellness
As the largest, oldest, and most experienced provider of behavioral healthcare in Knox and Licking Counties, BHP is constantly innovating to meet the specific needs of the communities we serve. That’s why we launched a multi-faceted Behavioral Healthcare Regional Response, including a Knox County Behavioral Health Crisis Center – the first of its kind for the Knox County community. This Center will make a lasting impact on the region, saving and transforming the lives of our Knox County neighbors.
Knox County Behavioral Health Crisis Center
We want to ensure that our neighbors in crisis can travel only a short distance for care. The Knox County Crisis Center will be created through an 8,000-square-foot addition to our Knox County Office in Mount Vernon on Blackjack Road. Open 24/7, the Center will serve adults and youth (ages 12+) by providing rapid intervention.
Adult and Youth Rapid Intervention Units allow individuals to be attended by trained staff who can promptly evaluate, stabilize, and determine the next steps for care in a comfortable and specialized setting.
“Our neighbors deserve to receive the care they need close to home during a time of crisis. They deserve a place where they can stabilize and begin healing. Our neighbors deserve to have their loved ones close to them as they heal. The Knox County Behavioral Health Crisis Center will provide cutting-edge behavioral healthcare and crisis stabilization in a safe and comforting setting that is geared towards behavioral health needs. Our priority is helping our neighbors get the right level of care, at the right time, and in the right place.”
- Dr. Kate St. James, President & CEO of Behavioral Healthcare Partners of Central OH, Inc.
The Impact of the Center
Individuals and families will have access to behavioral healthcare where and when they need it most. When they are stabilized and ready to return home, clients will have a treatment plan that connects them to the ongoing behavioral health services they need, close to home.
Once the Crisis Center is up and running, our neighbors throughout the Knox County region will experience the difference:
Mental health crises will be diverted from Emergency Departments. Individuals who would otherwise go to the local emergency department can be diverted to specialized care, freeing up the emergency department for the physical health emergencies they are intended to treat. Emergency departments will not have to provide space to individuals waiting for psychiatric hospitalization, allowing more bed turnover, and decreasing wait times for other patients.
Behavioral health crises will put less strain on law enforcement. Police will spend less time making behavioral health wellness checks and stabilizing people in crisis, allowing them to spend more time handling public emergencies and keeping our community safe.
Our Goal:
A Healthier Knox County
BHP is committed to overcoming barriers and meeting the need for behavioral healthcare in the Knox County region. Thanks to the generosity of our partners, we have raised 94% of our $4.5 million goal. It will take the support of our connected and generous community to make this new Knox County Crisis Center a reality.
Once the Crisis Center in Knox County is open and running, it will be sustained by insurance (public and private), government grants, fundraising, patient revenue, and other sources of income.
Double Your Donation & Double Your Impact!
Thanks to the generosity of our partners at the Ariel Foundation, all donations made to the campaign will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000.
“Mental health and substance use disorders impact everyone in a community. We are excited to provide a campaign matching grant for development of the Knox County Crisis Center. Area families and local individuals will benefit significantly from this center and we are grateful to BHP for taking the initiative needed to make this community goal a reality. ”
Partners in Impact
The Ramser Family
Campaign Leadership
Dr. Kate St. James
President & CEO
Hollie Linton
Director of Development
Judy Wilson
Campaign Coordinator
Tara Stafford
Campaign Coordinator
James Jarc, President
COTC Newark
Elycia Taylor, Vice-President
Columbus State Community College
Bill Jefferson, Secretary
Retired
Sam Thompson, Immediate Past President & Treasurer
Park National Bank
Lisa Morse
Mortgage
Natasha Short
Energy Cooperative
Our Board of Directors
Jenny Gonzalez
Licking County Prosecutor
Marti Kolb
Retired
Anita Armstrong
COTC Newark
Steven Fields
Columbus Dispatch
Christine Mills
Furniture Bank of Central Ohio
Frequently
Asked
Questions
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Behavioral health includes the emotions and behaviors that affect your overall well-being. Behavioral health is sometimes called mental health and often includes substance use. Just like physical health, behavioral health has trained providers who can help you much like a physical health care provider would.
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The Center will be open in Spring 2025! Stay tuned for construction updates.
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Once the Crisis Center in Knox County is open and running, it will be sustained by insurance (public and private), government grants, fundraising, patient revenue, and other sources of income.ere
Want to learn more about how you can make a difference and work together to create a healthier Knox County?
Contact Hollie Linton, Development Director
HollieLinton@bhcpartners.org