MOUNT VERNON — A long-term vision materialized on Thursday when Behavioral Healthcare Partners of Central Ohio officially launched its mobile mental health urgent care.
“This has been many years in the making,” BHP CEO Kathryn St. James said.
“It has always been our vision to bring quality behavioral health services to everyone, regardless of location or their resources.”
The mobile clinic provides the missing level of care for individuals who are not in crisis but who cannot wait until a provider becomes available.
It also provides care to individuals who do not have access to a provider.
The mobile mental health urgent care goes to different locations on request. Individuals can check BHP’s calendar to find out where the van will be.
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They can also access the calendar via a QR code on the van’s door.
BHP bought the van through a Care Source Community Investment Programming grant.
The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Licking and Knox Counties provides financial support through a reimbursement program using state, grant, or levy funds.
MHRB Executive Director Kathryn Spergel said the mobile clinic is an important opportunity to increase access and affordable care to those seeking help for mental health issues.
Noting there are many different things she could say, Spergel said the number one thing the van represents is hope.
“Hope is such a powerful thing to all of us,” she said. “Because in my book, where there is hope, there is healing. And where there is healing, there is health.”
Mayor Matt Starr said that of the 277 calls the Mount Vernon Police Department’s community advocate received in July, 20 were attempted or threatened suicide.
“It is very important to continue our effort to get people access to health care,” he said. “This is a great way to provide that.”
