MONROE, MI — Monroe County now has an urgent care for mental health and substance abuse issues.
Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC), 325 Colonial Court in Monroe, offers walk-in services from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Services are available to people of all ages, regardless of insurance status, residency or ability to pay.
BHUC is operated by Monroe Community Mental Health Authority (MCMHA). Patients can get help working through a crisis, ask about their medication or get help finding a medical provider and needed resources.
“If someone comes in for stress because of an eviction (for example), we can talk about that and also help with resources for housing,” said Lisa Graham, executive director of Monroe Community Mental Health Authority. “We can help you today. It’s the new gateway to healing.”
Graham said Michigan has just a handful of Behavioral Health Urgent Cares, and few are in locations the size of Monroe County. Few centers are standalone like Monroe’s.
Graham said a BHUC is a good alterative for many patients. Some patients are seeking their first mental health help and don’t want to go to MCMHA.
“It can be a big commitment. This seems less serious,” Graham said.
Monroe’s BHUC had a soft-opening Oct. 1. Its grand-opening and ribbon-cutting event was Nov. 6. The center is housed in former condos that later became offices for ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital. The entryway is behind the building.
“ProMedica is leasing them to us for almost nothing,” Graham said.
In its first month, BHUC saw 62 patients. Patients have been all ages and came in for a variety of issues. Many are children referred by schools, said Dawn Grant, program supervisor for MCMHA’s mobile crisis response.
Grant said an ER visit can take up to eight hours. BHUC hopes a visit is under two hours.
BHUC has a waiting area and treatment room for adults and another area for children and families.
Patients are seen by one of two clinicians. A physician can be added by telehealth right in the room. If needed, a patient can be directly admitted to ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital, which is just down the road. Or, staff can open a case at MCMHA.
Inside BHUC is a vending machine microbusiness operated by members of River Raisin Clubhouse, 393 N. Telegraph Road in Monroe.
RRC, which also is part of MCMHA, helps its adult members achieve well-being and independence. Members have all been diagnosed with mild to moderate mental health issues.
The vending machine is stocked with drinks and snacks. RRCH members maintain the machine.
“All money goes to the clubhouse,” Graham said.
Call Behavioral Health Urgent Care at 734-243-7341.
Suicide Lifeline: If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 any time, day or night, or chat online.
Crisis Text Line offers free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to individuals in crisis by texting “HOME” to 741741.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: New walk-in Behavioral Health Urgent Care now open in Monroe
Reporting by Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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