HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday for the brand new Crisis Receiving Center in Henrico County, which will serve as the region’s first emergency mental health facility designed for youth.
The center, located on the Brook Road campus of St. Joseph’s Villa, is intended to take the place of the emergency room for young people ages 7 to 17 when they are in the middle of a mental health crisis.
According to the county, features of the building include ligature-resistant fixtures, or fixtures designed to prevent their use in forms of self-harm. There will be rooms for assessment, therapy and calming. There will be a designated area for families and even recliners for those receiving services.
Construction began back in April 2023 on this $1 million, 1,800-square-foot project. Now, county leaders said the doors will hopefully open sometime in March, with leaders happy to welcome youth in need.
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Henrico County officials, St. Joseph’s Villa leaders and Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services representatives celebrate completion of the region’s first youth emergency mental health services facility. (Photos courtesy of Henrico County Government.) -
Henrico County officials, St. Joseph’s Villa leaders and Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services representatives celebrate completion of the region’s first youth emergency mental health services facility. (Photos courtesy of Henrico County Government.)
“The need for accessible, youth-specific emergency mental and behavioral health care is urgent,” said Jenny Friar, the CEO of St. Joseph’s Villa. “The Villa is so proud to be part of this critical new service for our region.”
Members of the Henrico Board of Supervisors were present during the ceremony, sharing that enthusiasm about this project in a state that ranks 48th nationally for youth mental health care access.
“The Crisis Receiving Center holds tremendous promise for young people and their families in Henrico and across the region,” said board member Roscoe D. Cooper III. “This facility will have an immediate impact for our young people who need rapid access to mental health services.”
Operations will be headed by St. Joseph’s Villa. According to the county, the $1 million in funding was provided by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.
