Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health opens Behavioral Health Center

Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health opens Behavioral Health Center

“You know, by the number of people in the room, I think that’s consistent with how big of a challenge this has been for our community, and I will say, the excitement that we have around our ability to put another piece of the puzzle in place for us to advance the health and learning in the community we serve,” said CEO of Lancaster General Health, John Herman.

Thursday, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health held a press conference and tour for the opening of the new Behavioral Health Center, located on the Lime Street side of Lancaster General Health. The center offers a Crisis Walk-In Center and Interventional Psychiatry Services. Behavioral health advocates and community leaders gathered to celebrate the first center, in Lancaster County, for patients dealing with low-risk behavioral health conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance-use disorders and other mental health concerns which do not require inpatient or emergency care. Speakers included: John Herman, Vice Chair of Lancaster General Health Board Trustees, Katie Smirilli, Former state Rep. of the 96th District, P. Michael Sturla, and Executive Director of Behavioral Health of Lancaster General Hospital, Tracey Lavallias.

“We take this long-range goal of healthcare in our community, and this particular behavioral health center is really reflecting, at a grassroots level, how we can touch this community, effectively. Health studies show that the quality of one’s mental health status has a significant impact on one’s overall health,” said Katie Smirilli.

Built by Benchmark Construction, the $3.89 million center occupies 6,800 Square feet of space at Lancaster General Health. The center is split in two, half of the center is the Crisis Walk-in center (2,720 square feet) and the other half is the Interventional Psychiatry Service (4,080 square feet). The center received support and funding from Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, Joy Allen, High Foundation, and the Capital Area Behavioral Health Collaborative, a private non-profit formed by the elected commissioners of Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and Perry counties to manage the HealthChoices Behavioral Health program.

“For those of you that know persons with behavioral health issues and addictions and things like that, you have to meet the person in their crisis, where they are. The minute that they are willing to be helped. If you say, you know, we’ll schedule an appointment for you next week to see a therapist, news for you. Doesn’t work,” said Mike Sturla

The Crisis Walk-In Center service, for patients ages six and up, will provide immediate behavioral-health assessments, treatment, and will assist with ongoing care that may be needed. The center will also connect patients to additional support services, such as counseling and medication management as they transition to ongoing community care. By operating during peak hours for behavioral health needs, the center will reduce boarding of low-risk behavioral health patients within LGH’s Trauma & Emergency Department. Center hours: Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“That’s what the crisis walk-in center is. It’s an innovative component of care, the first of its kind in the Commonwealth, particularly related to it being in a hospital system. So, if a patient is escalated or has a higher level of care, we can easily access them, and they can go to our path, which basically addresses issues for patients that need high risk care,” said Tracey Lavallias

On the other side of the center is the Interventional Psychiatry Program, which provides specialized treatments for psychiatric conditions that do not successfully respond to typical “first line” treatment options. For patients diagnosed with depression or anxiety the first treatments administered are usually counseling and medication, which can be helpful, but in some cases, improvement does not occur. Those patients may benefit from interventional tools that offer direct-brain stimulation. A referral from one’s provider is required for these services: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Intranasal and IV ketamine therapy, and Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The hours for Interventional Psychiatry: Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., by appointment only.

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