New London Urgent Crisis Center To Offer Youth Mental Health Services

NEW LONDON, CT — The Child and Family Agency of Southeastern CT, Inc. is opening a mental health crisis center in New London. The Connecticut Urgent Crisis Center offers care to children and youth facing mental health and substance abuse crises.

The organization has provided behavioral care to children and adults in the region since 1972. The new facility is one of four similar centers across the state available to children.

“Our community is deeply concerned about the mental health of our youth, and we are delighted to welcome this valuable new resource to our region,” New London Mayor Michael Passero said in a statement. “The Urgent Crisis Center will help to keep children and teens in crisis out of the ER.”

This new statewide initiative is funded by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families with the intent of widening the safety net for children and families.

"This is very exciting news for the children and families in our community,” New London Human Services Director Jeanne Milstein said in a statement. “The mental health crisis among our young people is devastating...every community is impacted by the crisis.”

The facility's services will include crisis intervention, diagnostics, safety planning, treatment recommendations, and links to additional services.

The Urgent Crisis Center is available to residents of New London County, Windham County, and Middlesex County who are under 18 years old. Referrals for services may come from medical providers, emergency personnel, schools, families, or self-referral.

The center is located at 255 Hempstead St. in New London and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and will be progressing to 24-hour care 7 days a week. No appointment is required. Walk-ins welcome. Call (860) 437-4550 to learn more.