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Westport Secures Agreement for Urgent Mental Health Assessments for Residents

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

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.

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