Charlotte, NC
The new Mecklenburg County Crisis Center is a “no wrong door” behavioral health and SUD crisis center for adults in Charlotte, North Carolina. The facility includes a Moderate-Intensity Behavioral Health Emergency Center (licensed in North Carolina as a Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC)) which receives patients experiencing a mental health crisis either as walk-ins or dropped off by first responders trained to recognize the patient’s needs.
Upon intake, the BHUC provides a 23-hour observation space where clients receive stabilizing treatment before being referred to the appropriate level of care. The operational target is to defer up to 70% of patients from inpatient admission to lower levels of care following stabilization.
The BHUC is based on a big room approach with a large space for MultiplePatient Observation serving up to 12 patients. The unit includes spaces for Group Therapy, Dining, Laundry, and Consultation. A quiet room is available for patients to self-select de-escalation.
The unit has two separate entrances: a walk-in entrance and a private first responder drop-off entrance. Each entrance has its own intake area designed to accommodate the different levels of acuity typical at each location. The intake areas are equipped for taking vitals and a private area for a provider interview and triage. The rooms are designed to support a dignified process, including: removing contraband, potential weapons or any other physical or health dangers, documenting and storing belongings, and providing an opportunity for the patient to clean up as needed.
The unit has a primary work area for staff called the “Staff Island” which is designed as an open desk to maximize observation and engagement. Careful design of the desk maintains a friendly, open environment for the patient, while providing an observational touch down space for staff with secured technology the Staff Island are staff-only spaces for a medication room, offices, and a treatment team room which can also serve as a Consult room. The medication room is a full clinical space designed to accommodate a medication dispensing system, a refrigerator, sink and computer. It is located so the nurse can dispense medications directly to patients at a secure wall opening designed for this purpose.
The facility also includes a 16-bed Moderate-Intensity Behavioral Health Extended Stabilization Center (licensed in North Carolina as a Facility Based Crisis (FBC)), which serves as an acute crisis unit for adult patients requiring extended crisis support. The two programs share a large outdoor courtyard that includes recreational, therapeutic, and programmatic spaces as well as an integrated art therapy intervention achieved by painting a partial mural on the courtyard wall using chalkboard paint, so patients can complete the image or draw anything else that relates to their experiences.
The project is carefully designed to maximize staff collaboration and support between the two programs. It is also designed to allow the BHUC staff to flex to intake when needed, reducing the need for dedicated intake staff. Every element of the space is curated to support the rapid implementation of crisis intervention to support stabilization and recovery.
The new Mecklenburg County Crisis Center is a “no wrong door” behavioral health and SUD crisis center for adults in Charlotte, North Carolina. The facility includes a Moderate-Intensity Behavioral Health Emergency Center (licensed in North Carolina as a Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC)) which receives patients experiencing a mental health crisis either as walk-ins or dropped off by first responders trained to recognize the patient’s needs.
Upon intake, the BHUC provides a 23-hour observation space where clients receive stabilizing treatment before being referred to the appropriate level of care. The operational target is to defer up to 70% of patients from inpatient admission to lower levels of care following stabilization.
The BHUC is based on a big room approach with a large space for MultiplePatient Observation serving up to 12 patients. The unit includes spaces for Group Therapy, Dining, Laundry, and Consultation. A quiet room is available for patients to self-select de-escalation.
The unit has two separate entrances: a walk-in entrance and a private first responder drop-off entrance. Each entrance has its own intake area designed to accommodate the different levels of acuity typical at each location. The intake areas are equipped for taking vitals and a private area for a provider interview and triage. The rooms are designed to support a dignified process, including: removing contraband, potential weapons or any other physical or health dangers, documenting and storing belongings, and providing an opportunity for the patient to clean up as needed.
The unit has a primary work area for staff called the “Staff Island” which is designed as an open desk to maximize observation and engagement. Careful design of the desk maintains a friendly, open environment for the patient, while providing an observational touch down space for staff with secured technology the Staff Island are staff-only spaces for a medication room, offices, and a treatment team room which can also serve as a Consult room. The medication room is a full clinical space designed to accommodate a medication dispensing system, a refrigerator, sink and computer. It is located so the nurse can dispense medications directly to patients at a secure wall opening designed for this purpose.
The facility also includes a 16-bed Moderate-Intensity Behavioral Health Extended Stabilization Center (licensed in North Carolina as a Facility Based Crisis (FBC)), which serves as an acute crisis unit for adult patients requiring extended crisis support. The two programs share a large outdoor courtyard that includes recreational, therapeutic, and programmatic spaces as well as an integrated art therapy intervention achieved by painting a partial mural on the courtyard wall using chalkboard paint, so patients can complete the image or draw anything else that relates to their experiences.
The project is carefully designed to maximize staff collaboration and support between the two programs. It is also designed to allow the BHUC staff to flex to intake when needed, reducing the need for dedicated intake staff. Every element of the space is curated to support the rapid implementation of crisis intervention to support stabilization and recovery.
