Westport Residents Gain Access to Free Urgent Mental Health Assessments Through New silver Hill Partnership
Starting in February, Westport residents will have access to free urgent mental health assessments thanks to a groundbreaking agreement between the town and Silver Hill Hospital. the program, approved unanimously by the Board of Selectwomen, aims to provide timely psychiatric evaluations for individuals of all ages, income levels, and stages of mental health needs.
“it’s almost a concierge service for our community,” said Elaine Daignault,director of Westport’s Department of Human Services. She emphasized that the program is designed to offer an option to emergency room visits, which can be particularly daunting for young people. “In Human Services, we receive calls all the time to find somewhere to go [for mental health services] that’s not the emergency room,” she explained.
The $40,000 annual contract allows for up to four referrals per month, ensuring that residents in urgent need of mental health care or medication management can receive prompt attention. Assessments at Silver Hill Hospital in new Canaan will be scheduled within 24 to 48 hours—a significant improvement over the typical wait time of one to six months for psychiatric evaluations.
“It’s still much quicker than you can get into any kind of a psychiatrist for an assessment,” Daignault noted. “So 24 to 48 hours is very good.”
The program is not intended for individuals experiencing life-threatening crises. Daignault clarified that anyone who is “actively suicidal or having a true psychotic episode” should still be brought directly to a hospital emergency room.
Westport’s agreement mirrors existing partnerships between Silver hill and neighboring towns like New Canaan and Weston. According to the hospital’s website, the program’s goal is to “connect those in urgent need of mental health treatment wiht a timely, psychiatric assessment and tailored referral for ongoing care.”
First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker highlighted the program’s potential to address the community’s mental health challenges. “It’s a huge opportunity to provide proper support to our residents,” she said.
Here’s a summary of the program’s key details:
| Key Details | Information |
|————————————-|———————————————————————————|
| Start Date | February 2025 |
| Cost to Residents | Free for initial assessment |
| Referral Limit | Up to four per month |
| Assessment Timeline | Within 24 to 48 hours |
| Eligibility | all Westport residents, regardless of age, income, or mental health stage |
| Crisis Situations | emergency room visits still recommended for life-threatening cases |
Residents seeking an assessment will either receive continued treatment at Silver Hill or be referred to another facility that aligns with their insurance and needs.Costs for treatment beyond the initial assessment will be the patient’s responsibility.
Westport’s participation in the program is expected to begin in the first week of February, marking a significant step forward in addressing mental health care accessibility in the community.
For more information, visit the Silver Hill Hospital website.
Westport Residents to Receive Free Mental Health Assessments Through Silver Hill Hospital Partnership
Table of Contents
Starting in February 2025, Westport residents will benefit from a new initiative offering free urgent mental health assessments. This program, established through a partnership with Silver Hill Hospital, aims to provide timely psychiatric evaluations for individuals of all ages and income levels. The initiative was unanimously approved by the Westport Board of Selectwomen and is designed to serve as an choice to emergency room visits, particularly for those in urgent need of mental health support.
How the Partnership Came to Be
Editor: Can you tell us how this collaboration between westport and Silver Hill Hospital began?
Elaine Daignault, Director of Westport’s Department of human Services: Absolutely. This partnership was born out of a growing need in our community for accessible mental health care. We were constantly receiving calls from residents seeking alternatives to emergency rooms for mental health evaluations. silver Hill Hospital already had triumphant partnerships with neighboring towns like New Canaan and Weston, so it made sense to bring this program to Westport.The Board of Selectwomen unanimously approved the $40,000 annual contract to make this a reality.
How the Program Works
Editor: How does the program function, and who is eligible to participate?
Elaine Daignault: the program is open to all Westport residents, irrespective of age, income, or the stage of their mental health needs. Residents in urgent need of psychiatric evaluations or medication management can be referred to Silver Hill Hospital. We can facilitate up to four referrals per month,and assessments are scheduled within 24 to 48 hours. This is a meaningful improvement over the typical wait time of one to six months for psychiatric evaluations.
Benefits of the program
Editor: What makes this program so valuable for the community?
Elaine Daignault: The program acts almost like a concierge service for mental health care.It provides a timely, compassionate alternative to emergency room visits, which can be overwhelming, especially for young people. By offering fast assessments, we can connect individuals with the appropriate care they need without delay. This is a huge step forward in addressing mental health challenges in our community.
Addressing Crisis Situations
Editor: What should residents do if they’re experiencing a life-threatening mental health crisis?
Elaine Daignault: It’s vital to note that this program is not intended for life-threatening situations. if someone is actively suicidal or having a true psychotic episode, they should be brought directly to a hospital emergency room. This program is designed for urgent but non-life-threatening mental health needs.
Next Steps for Participants
Editor: What happens after the initial assessment?
Elaine Daignault: After the assessment, participants will either receive continued treatment at Silver Hill Hospital or be referred to another facility that aligns with their insurance and needs. While the initial assessment is free, any further treatment will be the patient’s duty. Our goal is to ensure residents get the care they need without unnecessary delays.
Thoughts from Local Leadership
Editor: What has been the reaction from local leaders regarding this initiative?
First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker: This program is a significant possibility to provide proper support to our residents.Mental health care is a critical need, and this partnership with Silver Hill Hospital allows us to address it in a meaningful way. We’re proud to bring this resource to our community.
Conclusion
Westport’s new partnership with Silver Hill Hospital marks a pivotal step in improving mental health care accessibility. By offering free, timely psychiatric assessments, the program aims to reduce the burden on emergency rooms and provide residents with the support they need. Starting in february 2025, this initiative will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the community’s mental health landscape.
