Frederick pooled 5 different funding sources to transform an existing county-owned building into a new behavioral health facility focusing on crisis stabilization.

As previously covered on Conduit Street, Frederick County leaders and public health officials show the perseverance it takes local governments to address the significant public health concerns of the day. The first-of-its-kind, 24-hour walk-in crisis center will open this September and is expected to have an immediate impact.

The ability to divert these individuals away from hospitals and detentions centers will ensure that residents experiencing a behavioral health emergency can get the immediate care they deserve. In addition to real-time crisis management, program offerings include the connection of patients to ongoing community-based care. The facility will be operated by the Mental Health Association of Frederick County under the direction of the Frederick County Health Department and Frederick Health Officer, Dr. Barbara A. Brookmyer.

In a Maryland Matters article, County Executive Jessica Fitzwater shared her enthusiasm for the new facility and how it will serve residents in need.

“It will expand and build on the county’s current behavioral health and substance use disorder infrastructure, provide stronger links to the community-based behavioral health care, provide 24/7 trauma responsive, low-barrier, voluntary care and recovery-oriented services,” Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater (D) said at the ribbon-cutting.

Representative David Trone additionally shared that the opening of the crisis care center is the result of collaboration from the local, state and federal level.

“With those three levels of government, we can get stuff done. Big stuff done. Stuff that puts people over the politics.”

This new facility will absorb the existing walk-in crisis center operating in the county that currently has limited hours and availability. Additionally, two crisis hotlines (221 and 988) will be referring patients to the location as well as first responders, law enforcement, mobile crisis response teams, community providers, and families of those who are in crisis.