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A new 24/7 mental health and substance use crisis center has opened its doors in Kingston providing immediate support for residents of all ages experiencing behavioral health emergencies.
The Ulster County Crisis Support Center, which began operations on Tuesday (January 27), is located in the Ulster County Center for Well-Being building at 368 Broadway. The facility offers round-the-clock services including clinical assessments, intervention, peer support, and coordinated follow-up care.
"The Crisis Support Center represents a major step forward in how we care for our community, ensuring that our residents have access to compassionate, community‑based care in a supportive environment, any time of day or night," said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger.
The center is operated by People USA, a peer-run mental health non-profit, in partnership with the Ulster County Department of Mental Health. It aims to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations by providing prompt care in a less restrictive setting.
Law enforcement will also be able to divert individuals with behavioral health or substance use challenges to the center, ensuring they receive appropriate and timely assistance rather than entering the criminal justice system.
Mental Health Commissioner Tara McDonald noted that the center "has been in development for more than three years" and will provide county residents with "a welcoming environment and qualified compassionate staff ready to support them during challenging times."
The facility is part of a comprehensive approach to mental health services in Ulster County. The Center for Well-Being building also houses additional services on its upper floors, including Access: Supports for Living on the second floor, the Children's Way Counseling Center on the third floor, and the Ulster County Department of Mental Health on the fourth floor.
Funding for the Crisis Support Center came from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which provided resources for mental health initiatives across the country.
The center adds to Ulster County's existing network of mental health resources, which includes the Mobile Mental Health Team (available at 844-277-4820) and various community organizations providing support for substance use and mental health challenges.
For more information about the Ulster County Crisis Support Center and other services at the Center for Well-Being, residents can visit ulstercountyny.gov/center-for-well-being.