Montgomery County Plans New, $18 Million Health Crisis Center
NORRISTOWN, PA — Montgomery County will invest $18 million in a new health crisis center to provide immediate help to anyone suffering from a behavioral emergency, mental health issue, or substance abuse.
Officials hope to have the center up and running by the fall of 2025. Proponents believe it will be a game changer for at risk population that often goes underserved or untreated.
“The investment in this crisis center means that, once the center is operational, anyone in the County can walk in and receive comprehensive mental health support, no questions asked,” Montgomery County Commissioner Jamila Winder said during a press briefing this week. “By offering 24/7 access to crisis intervention and stabilization services, we are ensuring that residents receive the help they need, when they need it most.”
Find out what's happening in Norristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A location still has not yet been selected for the center.
Authorities hope the center helps individuals in crisis avoid jail, where they would not receive the treatment they need, and potentially continue the cycle of recidivism. While officials did not directly discuss the proposed but eventually nixed Eagleville Hospital project — a temporary housing project for the homeless with close access to emergency mental health care — this project, introduced just weeks after that one was axed, is a clear alternative and successor.
Find out what's happening in Norristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The still to be named location could be key, as the proposal to house the other project on the grounds of Eagleville Hospital brought sharp backlash from locals, and was ultimately rejected by the Lower Providence Board of Supervisors.
This crisis center is notably different. Authorities envision a place that serves children as well as adults and seniors, is available for walk-ins as well as referrals from a mobile crisis team, and which works with ambulance, police, and fire on direct drop-offs.
The county received 5,500 calls for a mental health crisis in 2023, while the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline received 5,435 calls from Montgomery County residents. The Montgomery County Department of Public Safety’s Emergency Communications Center fields dozens of similar 911 calls every week.
“By providing early, effective treatments to people experiencing mental health or substance use issues, we can prevent further crises in the future,” Commissioner Tom DiBello added.
State American Rescue Plan Act money will fund much of the project, along with some of the county’s opioid settlement funds.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.