Asheville, North Carolina, provides a range of comprehensive mental health services tailored to address the unique needs of children experiencing mental health crises. These services are designed to support children who are at risk of out-of-home placement, experiencing significant emotional distress, or displaying behaviors that threaten their safety or that of others. The community offers a combination of 24/7 crisis interventions, facility-based support, and in-home services, all aimed at stabilizing the individual and connecting them with long-term care. The following sections outline the available resources, their functions, and how they can be accessed during a mental health emergency.
24/7 Mobile Crisis Services for Children and Adolescents
Mobile Crisis Management (MCM) is a critical resource for children and adolescents in Asheville experiencing a mental health crisis. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, ensuring that help is accessible at any time. Mobile Crisis professionals are trained to provide on-site stabilization, assessment, and intervention in a variety of settings, including homes, schools, and public spaces. These services are particularly valuable for families who need immediate support without the necessity of emergency room visits.
The MCM program serves a wide geographic area, including Buncombe, Madison, Yancey, Transylvania, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, McDowell, Mitchell, Alexander, and Caldwell counties. Contact can be made at any time by calling 1-888-573-1006. The service is confidential and aims to stabilize individuals in their environment of choice, thereby reducing the likelihood of hospitalization and promoting a sense of safety and comfort during a crisis.
Facility-Based Crisis Centers
In addition to mobile crisis services, Asheville offers facility-based options for children in mental health crises. The Caiyalynn Burrell Child Crisis Center, located at 356 Biltmore Avenue, is a dedicated facility for children who require intensive stabilization due to behavioral health needs. This center is structured as an alternative to inpatient hospitalization or emergency room visits, particularly for children who are experiencing significant increases in suicidal thoughts, statements, or discussions of specific plans.
The Caiyalynn Burrell Child Crisis Center operates with a triage system and is available for phone screenings 24/7. These screenings can help determine the appropriate level of care and whether a child needs to be admitted to the facility. The center’s staff is trained to conduct safety planning by phone if necessary, ensuring that children receive prompt and appropriate care. This resource is invaluable for families seeking a more targeted and child-focused approach to crisis management.
RHA Behavioral Health Urgent Care
The RHA Behavioral Health Urgent Care, located at 356 Biltmore Avenue in Asheville, provides triage services for children and adults experiencing behavioral health emergencies. This facility is open 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm and is designed to assess the severity of a crisis and determine the appropriate level of care. The services include crisis assessment, linkage to community resources, and coordination with other mental health providers to ensure continuity of care.
RHA Behavioral Health Urgent Care is an essential component of the mental health infrastructure in Asheville, offering a structured and professional environment for crisis stabilization. The facility is part of the larger C3 365 Comprehensive Care Center, which also houses the Behavioral Health Crisis Center (BHCC). The BHCC operates from Sunday to Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm and provides additional support for individuals in crisis.
Therapeutic Interventions and Support Services
Beyond immediate crisis stabilization, Asheville provides a range of therapeutic interventions and support services for children with mental health needs. These services are designed to address the root causes of behavioral issues and promote long-term emotional well-being. One such service is the Intensive In-Home (IIH) program, which serves children and adolescents at risk of out-of-home placement. The IIH teams work within the home environment to stabilize the child and prevent the need for institutional care.
In addition, the community offers School-Based Services, where clinicians are stationed at schools such as Woodfin Elementary to provide individual, group, and family therapy. These services are particularly effective in addressing mental health concerns in a familiar and supportive setting. The presence of mental health professionals in schools helps to normalize the use of mental health services and ensures that children receive timely support.
For children who require a more intensive level of care, Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) is available. TFC provides a safe and nurturing environment for children who are in crisis and need a structured setting to make positive behavioral changes. The goal of TFC is to help children return to their natural homes or transition to an environment that best suits their needs.
Tailored Care Management
Tailored Care Management is another important resource for children in Asheville who are dealing with complex mental health challenges. This program offers a personalized and holistic approach to mental health, physical health, and life challenges. By coordinating services and focusing on the unique needs of each individual, Tailored Care Management helps children and families thrive in their daily lives.
One example of this approach is the Care Haven facility in Marion, which serves children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 with mental health or dual-diagnosed issues. Care Haven provides community respite services, offering periodic relief for primary caregivers and ensuring that children receive the support they need in a structured environment.
National and Regional Crisis Resources
In addition to local services, Asheville residents have access to a variety of national and regional crisis resources. These include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the National Youth Crisis Hopeline, RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network), and The Trevor Project for LGBTQIA+ youth. These resources provide 24/7 support for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, offering confidential and free assistance to those in need.
For children in the Western North Carolina region, the Vaya Health Crisis Line is another valuable resource. This toll-free line (1-800-849-6127) offers behavioral health crisis services and is available 24/7. It is an important tool for families seeking immediate support and guidance during a mental health emergency.
Conclusion
Child mental health crisis services in Asheville, NC, are designed to provide immediate stabilization, long-term support, and access to a wide range of therapeutic interventions. The availability of 24/7 mobile crisis services, facility-based crisis centers, in-home support, and school-based programs ensures that children and families receive the care they need in a timely and effective manner. By combining these resources with national and regional support services, Asheville offers a comprehensive and compassionate approach to mental health care for children in crisis.