Westchester Breaks Ground On New Mental Health Safety Net Clinic

Press release from the Westchester County Government:

Watch the News Conference Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPxwqDIGlmA

Westchester County will break ground on a new Mental Health Safety Net Clinic. The Clinic, located at 112 East Post Road in White Plains, will be a state-of-the-art facility which will expand clinic capacity to meet local shortfalls, and address the waitlist for care across Westchester County.

Recognizing the increasing need to provide a center of care with quality clinical services that includes diagnostic evaluations, mental health treatment and referrals in compliance with New York State Mental Hygiene Laws, the Westchester County Legislature approved a $1 Million bond act for the design and construction of this critically needed facility. The newly developed clinic will help to increase access to essential mental health services that have seen an uptick in need in recent years. The new clinic will be managed by the County’s Department of Community Mental Health.

County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Westchester has seen an increase in demand for mental health services and we will continue to meet that need with the opening of this clinic. It is exciting to have reached this point to break ground as I know of the great deal of effort that has gone into reaching this next step. The coordination between our Department of Community Mental Health and the State agencies to get approvals and permits, to hire staff to work in and oversee the operation of the Center, to design a facility that will be welcoming and accommodating, were vital actions to ensure success have all led us to where we are today.”

Department of Community Mental Health Commissioner Michael Orth said: “Thank you to County Executive Jenkins and the Board of Legislators for seeing this vision and meeting the need with funding this new facility. We know that those who face challenges to their mental health will soon have a place to come to seek help, to get treatment and find the resources they need to be on path to healing. It has been difficult to find facilities that can provide these services, usually resulting in individuals entering the emergency room of a hospital. Our hospital ERs are often overcrowded and are unable to provide ongoing care. Our new clinic will be able to better accommodate individual and their longer term needs.”

Construction is scheduled to be completed after several months with a Grand Opening scheduled for this June.

This press release was produced by the Westchester County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.