URMC opening region’s first walk-in mental health urgent care center for kids in July

Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — Wednesday, leaders from the University of Rochester Medical Center cut the ribbon on the region’s first-ever walk-in mental health urgent care center for children and teens.

The Brighter Days Pediatric Mental Health Care Center will have 15 patient rooms staffed by mental health counselors, social workers, psychologists and nurses, offering immediate care to families in crisis.

14-year-old Blaine Hayward-Collins, a Victor High School student, is a former patient at URMC’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Inpatient Unit.

“It’s definitely progress that I didn’t expect to make one day,” said Blaine. “I was in there from when I was 13 to when I was 14, I had my 14th birthday in there, and I was there for about 7 to 8 months. It was hectic, I will tell you that, but I got through it, and I’m here today.”

Starting Monday, July 15, the Brighter Days Pediatric Mental Health Urgent Care Center will be open 7 days a week, and serve walk-in patients from noon to 7 p.m.

“We are going to be able to help children and families in a time of crisis, in a family center, and a flexible way in real time that simply has never been available before,” said Michael Scharf, chief of child and adolescent psychiatry at URMC.

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The center will offer immediate and safe mental health care, and help children avoid trips to the ER and long wait times for outpatient services.

“We’ve been struggling with escalating children’s mental health needs for more than 10 years,” said Scharf. “This is something that has been recognized even at the nation level as a pediatric mental health crisis now for 9 years.”

The newly renovated Ronald McDonald Family Room inside Strong Memorial Hospital will be used to support the families of children receiving care for mental health wellness.

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“The room offers an opportunity for families to just step away from the bedside for a moment,” explained JoAnne Ryan, president and CEO of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester. “The best part about that is they then can gather themselves in a way that they can strength their ability to be a better caregiver for their child.”

Brighter Days will also have a dedicated vehicle for children who lack transportation to the clinic.

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