The Crisis Stabilization Center and the Intensive Crisis Stabilization Center offer immediate care for both children and adults who may be experiencing stress, mental health or substance abuse crisis
By Barbara Pierce
An innovative approach to crisis counseling recently became available in the Mohawk Valley.
The Crisis Stabilization Center (CSC) in Utica opened in December 2025; soon an Intensive Crisis Stabilization Center will open in Herkimer.
Two state-of-the art approaches to crisis: The 24/7 facilities offer walk-in care to all, allow police and EMS to quickly drop off those in crisis instead of holding them in emergency rooms or jails and connecting people with resources to meet their ongoing needs.
“We’re filling a lot of gaps,” said Jenni Barlow-Gagnon, vice president, Behavioral Health Services, Upstate Caring Partners, the parent organization for CSC.
The doors are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering immediate care for both children and adults who may be experiencing overwhelming stress, a mental health or substance abuse crisis or thoughts of harming themselves, suicide or feelings of hopelessness.
CSC is a viable alternative to an emergency room, beneficial to both the person going through a crisis and the already overwhelmed hospital ERs.
“Anyone who comes in gets seen within 20 minutes,” Barlow-Gagnon added. “Even if we have many people who come in at the same time, we’ll make sure your needs are met immediately. We’re here to help.”
There is no waiting, no appointment is needed, no insurance is required. Just walk in. CSC is definitely user-friendly. It’s a safe, caring place to pause and get support for whatever you’re going through, whenever you’re going through it.
Crisis stabilization centers are being developed throughout the state, with state funding. The goal is to reduce the strain on hospital emergency rooms and law enforcement.
“We’re getting the word out in schools, hospitals, warming centers, social media, word of mouth and law enforcement,” she continued. “It’s an opportunity to support a population that doesn’t engage well in a traditional setting.”
“We have a side for children and a side for adults. We’ve seen an increase in children’s side. We’re working with the schools and we work with parents,” she said. “We’re open 24 hours a day, which means all night. We get a lot of walk-ins during the night. We don’t have beds, but we do have a recliner. People can stay with us long enough to ‘reset.’”
The calm, living-room style setting lets one pause, breathe and receive caring support. It feels warm and welcoming — not clinical — so people can ‘reset’ and leave to carry on. Staff are trained mental health professionals and peer counselors.
“Some people stay a few hours, others stay 24 hours,” Barlow-Gagnon said.
Stays are limited to 24 hours.
“Some people connect the first time, others don’t. Some need to come back multiple times. We provide resources; we’re a pathway to ongoing services,” she added. “We figure out how we can help get you connected to those services you need ongoing.”
The Intensive Crisis Stabilization Center, under The Neighborhood Center, is in the process of hiring staff.
“We hope to be open by the time school starts,” said director Lisa Ferraro. “The state grants provided for both supportive centers and intensive centers, which we are. Intensive centers can provide medication and mild to moderate detox.”
Medication refills can be difficult to get; the licensed staff, available 24 hours a day, are specialists in prescribing the right medication, she said.
“The beauty of this state model is that you define what a crisis is; what’s overwhelming to one person may not be to another,” said Barlow-Gagno.
What exactly is a mental health crisis? A mental health crisis occurs when a person’s mental health deteriorates to the point where they are unable to function in their daily life. They may have emotional distress, confusion or inability to manage daily tasks. A crisis can affect anyone.
In a recent study by John Hopkins University, more than 1,900 adults were asked if they had experienced a mental health crisis in the past year. The survey defined crisis as times when one’s thoughts, feelings or behaviors were too much to handle and required prompt assistance.
The survey found that young adults, aged 18-29, reported the highest crisis prevalence at 15%, compared to 2.6% for those older than 60.
“This shows how common moments of acute distress are,” said the lead researcher.
Also, the study found that people with lower incomes were more likely to report having a mental health crisis.
“Call to find out more about our center,” Barlow-Gagnon said. “Stop by and talk to us.”