Burrell Behavioral Health has expanded the hours at its Columbia Behavioral Crisis Center – Rapid Access Unit to provide walk-in access to care 24 hours a day, seven days a week for individuals needing immediate mental health or substance use care. The center, located at 1805 E. Walnut St., is on the lower level of Burrell’s Stephens Lake Clinic.

“In September 2022, we opened our Behavioral Health Crisis Center, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Since opening just over a year ago, we have seen a consistent increase in the number of people utilizing this service,” said Mat Gass, president of the Central Region of Brightli, Burrell’s parent company. “Providing round-the-clock, 24-7 walk-in access to care saves lives by allowing individuals to receive lifesaving treatment when it is needed most.”

Gass added in a news release that Burrell is aware that a crisis is “self-defined and doesn’t observe normal 9 to 5 hours.” Now, anyone experiencing a crisis can walk into the Columbia Rapid Access Unit any time of day, in addition to calling the new 988 Suicide Lifeline.

“Just like we plan for physical emergencies, such as knowing where a hospital is or where to take shelter in a natural disaster, knowing what your resources are during a mental health crisis can be a part of our safety planning,” Gass explained. 

A walk-in crisis access point is similar in nature to an urgent care clinic. Clients receive immediate assessment and stabilization and are provided treatment, medication, and referrals as appropriate.

The current Behavioral Crisis Center location is temporary. The recent American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding designated by the city of Columbia will allow Burrell to fulfill its original intent to build a larger BCC as part of the Phoenix Clinic on Leslie Lane. To learn more about mid-Missouri’s behavioral and substance use crisis center visit www.burrellcenter.com/ColumbiaBCC.