Individuals experiencing a psychological well being disaster can bypass the Flagler Hospital emergency room and go for the brand new CAIR Middle as an alternative.
The Disaster Evaluation Intervention and Referral Middle presents behavioral and psychological well being companies for each youth and adults in a extra peaceable setting, Flagler Well being+ officers mentioned.
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The CAIR Middle’s objectives embrace decreasing “pointless Baker Act admissions” and serving to individuals keep away from the prison justice system, in addition to decreasing recurring hospital visits “whereas offering individuals with psychological well being crises a supportive and accessible atmosphere for assist,” in keeping with a Flagler Well being+ information launch.
The middle has been working for a number of weeks, however Flagler Well being+ officers celebrated the opening with a ribbon chopping Thursday morning on the middle at 300 Well being Park Blvd., Suite 1008. Officers invited the media and different individuals to take a tour.
On the opening, Flagler Well being+ CEO Carlton DeVooght mentioned the middle helps fill a niche in group protection. He mentioned many individuals do not get the care they want due to an absence of psychological and behavioral well being companies in Florida.
“Working with our companions like (EPIC Behavioral Healthcare and St. Augustine Youth Providers), we’ve got seen that there’s a want to supply a much less traumatic level of entry for these in want of psychological well being companies,” DeVooght mentioned.
An open home for most people is scheduled from 10 am to midday on June 19. Individuals can be taught extra concerning the middle at flaglerhealth.org/CAIR or by calling 904-819-5204.
Along with offering assessments and disaster interventions, the middle gives referrals and assist constructing long-term connections with suppliers, in keeping with Flagler Well being+. The middle additionally helps join individuals with different assets they could want.
“Typically, the battle for psychological well being is tied to different wants within the house: meals insecurity, lack of steady housing, difficulties acquiring prescriptions and extra,” in keeping with the assertion. “The CAIR Middle then makes use of Care Join+, a program established by Flagler Well being+, to attach sufferers to different essential assets. Care Join then helps shoppers navigate the method to make clear questions, take away boundaries, and join the affected person to companies.” well being social, as wanted.
Individuals need not have insurance coverage to get assist from the CAIR Middle, mentioned Valerie Duquette, who heads the Division of Behavioral Well being at Flagler Well being+.
“That is not an element for us,” he mentioned. “We’re not nervous a couple of supply of cost. We’re right here to supply a service to the group.”
Flagler Well being+ COO Vincent Johnson mentioned about 1 in 5 People could have a diagnosable psychological well being situation this yr, in keeping with statistics offered by the nonprofit Psychological Well being America. He known as the middle “an ideal assist” to the group.
“It is a possibility to take care of individuals who may not in any other case be cared for,” he mentioned. “And there has by no means been extra time and a higher want for psychological well being care to be on the forefront and on the middle of all the pieces we do for our group.”
The Florida state finances contains about $eight million for the CAIR Middle, DeVooght mentioned.
‘Breathe’
Video and artwork posted all through the middle encourage leisure with seashore scenes, butterflies, and different serene imagery.
Murals by native firm Heartspace Artwork are positioned within the middle, one known as “Look Inside,” which inspires individuals to “breathe,” and one other known as “The Journey Dwelling,” which reveals butterflies flying close to a seated girl. .
“(Heartspace Artwork) just about got here up with the idea primarily based on what we have been asking for, that we wished the area to be stress-free and welcoming and a spot the place individuals may really feel comfy,” Duquette mentioned.
Individuals who go to the emergency room for a psychological well being drawback might discover themselves with extra stress.
“There are individuals going out and in,” Duquette mentioned. “Numerous ranges of trauma. Numerous ranges of damage and sickness. Numerous shock. Numerous noise. Numerous stimulation. And that may be overwhelming for individuals.”
He added, “This place permits individuals who do not want these inpatient companies to come back in and have a special vibe. It is quieter. It is relaxed. It is cozy. There’s not all that additional stimulation.”
The middle has separate areas for youth and adults. The employees contains three therapists and three consumption employees, in addition to employees to assist with reception and care coordination, Duquette mentioned. The middle plans so as to add psychiatrists.
The middle is for outpatient care, so there aren’t any beds. If individuals want hospitalization, the CAIR Middle staff works with the emergency room to get adults there, Duquette mentioned. If kids want hospitalization or extra assist than the CAIR Middle can present, the staff works to coordinate their care with St. Augustine Youth Providers or switch them to a Jacksonville facility.
Persons are additionally utilizing the CAIR Middle for normal counseling periods, Duquette mentioned.
“We’re right here proper now Monday via Friday from eight am to six pm,” Duquette mentioned. “You possibly can are available in. You possibly can name us. Yow will discover data on our web site about us and easy methods to contact us. You possibly can introduce your self… We wish you to come back and hopefully we’ll develop it by the tip of the yr to no less than weekends and presumably to our 24/7 operation.
