Crisis Stabilization Unit

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, four million children and adolescents in the United States have a serious mental health issue that impairs functioning at school, at home or with peers. Over time mental health issues can directly affect the atmosphere of the family. Just one more problem often tips the scale for individuals to feel like they can no longer cope. In crisis situations, our qualified mental health professionals work with children and their families to provide stabilization within the home or at our Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU).

Services include:

• Individual & Family Interventions (including individual, group and family therapy)
• Assessment and Treatment Planning
• Access to telepsychiatry
• Medication Management
• Community Linkage
• Educational Coordination

The CSU operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week in partnership with the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority. It provides a safe, therapeutic environment designed to facilitate de-escalation and stabilization. The CSU is located on our scenic 82-acre campus. Youth can stay in the CSU for up to 15 consecutive days.

How do you know if your child is in crisis?

Mental health crisis can occur when stress, negative emotions, and/or reactions to a traumatic event become so intense that the individual has thoughts of harming his/herself or another person, or cannot perform daily routine functions. Harmful behaviors as a result of psychiatric instability may necessitate removal from the home.

Eligibility for service

• We provide Crisis Stabilization Services to children ages 5 to 17 residing in Region IV of Virginia (Richmond, Henrico, Hanover, Goochland-Powhatan, Chesterfield, District 19 (Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Emporia, Greenville, Hopewell, Petersburg, Prince George, Surry and Sussex) and Crossroads (Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward).
• Individual must meet at least two of the following criteria at the time of admission:
  1. Difficulty in maintaining normal interpersonal relationships to the point of risk of hospitalization, homelessness or isolation from social supports
  2. Difficulty in activities of daily living
  3. Exhibiting such inappropriate behavior that immediate interventions needed by mental health, social services or the judicial system
  4. Exhibiting difficulty in cognitive ability (unable to recognize personal danger or recognize significantly inappropriate social behavior)

Making a referral

• For referrals, contact the 24 Hour Call Center at 804-874-9119.
• All prescreening packets may be faxed to 804-955-4240.
• For all other inquires, contact the main CSU line at 804-955-4242.