The architecture of mental health crisis intervention in the Virginia Peninsula region is defined by a sophisticated synergy between clinical expertise, emergency medicine, and law enforcement coordination. At the center of this ecosystem is the Riverside Mental Health & Recovery Center and its associated specialized units, including the Psychiatric Emergency Department and the Crisis Intervention Team Assessment Center (CITAC). This infrastructure is designed to address the critical intersection of psychiatric distress and acute medical need, ensuring that individuals experiencing behavioral health crises are diverted from the judicial system and integrated into a therapeutic healthcare continuum. By implementing a tiered approach to crisis management—ranging from 24/7 walk-in admissions to specialized law enforcement portals—Riverside establishes a comprehensive safety net that caters to diverse populations, including pediatric patients, adults, and the military community. The operational philosophy centers on the belief that behavioral health crises require immediate, compassionate, and specialized interventions that differ fundamentally from standard medical emergency care, necessitating dedicated spaces and multidisciplinary teams to ensure patient safety and clinical efficacy.
The Crisis Intervention Team Assessment Center (CITAC)
The Crisis Intervention Team Assessment Center (CITAC) represents a strategic shift in how society manages the intersection of mental illness and public safety. Established in September 2014 at Riverside Doctors' Hospital in Williamsburg (RDHW), CITAC functions as a specialized gateway designed to prevent the improper incarceration of individuals who are experiencing psychiatric crises rather than committing criminal acts.
Operational Framework and Funding
The development and sustenance of CITAC are rooted in a public-private partnership. The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) provided the foundational grant on June 24 to cover the initial development costs and subsequent annual operational funding. This funding structure ensures that the center can operate as an arm of Colonial Behavioral Health's Emergency Services department without placing an undue financial burden on the immediate clinical facility.
Law Enforcement Integration and Judicial Diversion
CITAC is specifically designed to aid law enforcement officers in responding to mental health crises. The center provides a secure, alternative location for officers to transport individuals who require behavioral health assessment and care. This prevents the "criminalization" of mental illness by redirecting individuals from the judicial system into the healthcare system.
The operational process for law enforcement is streamlined to minimize the time officers spend away from their patrol duties. Upon arrival, officers can transfer custody of the individual to a CIT-trained, unarmed security officer. This allows the law enforcement personnel to return to their active duties quickly while the patient remains in a safe, clinical environment for evaluation.
Accessibility and Logistics
The CITAC facility maintains specific hours of operation and access restrictions to preserve its function as a law enforcement portal: - Access: Limited to law enforcement officers only. - Hours of Operation: 12:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. daily. - Location