The Village opened Hartford’s first-ever walk-in Urgent Crisis Center (UCC) for youth mental health in the summer of 2023, AND the center has already helped transform the state’s behavioral healthcare landscape.
Within a year of opening, the UCC has provided immediate, critical support to more than 500 children in the midst of mental health crises. These children, who were struggling with challenges like depression, anxiety, overwhelming hopelessness, substance use, uncontrollable behaviors, self-harm, or thoughts of suicide, found the help they needed without delay. No appointments, referrals or long waits were necessary—they simply walked in, and our team sprang into action.
For anyone who has ever faced the long wait times typical of hospital emergency departments, the UCC offers a welcome alternative. Here, being seen right away is not the exception—it’s the standard.
When families step into the UCC, they find themselves in a space carefully designed to provide comfort and safety. Our multidisciplinary team—comprised of APRNs, nurses, clinicians, family navigators, behavioral support specialists and discharge planners—immediately begins the work of deescalating the crisis. Each child’s needs are triaged, followed by a comprehensive evaluation. The team then connects the child to ongoing support, such as regular counseling, and collaborates with caregivers to develop a safety plan for when they return home. Even after families leave the UCC, our staff continues to provide follow-up support, ensuring they remain connected to the resources they need.
The space itself is also adaptable to help address the unique needs of each child. The 19 patient rooms are vibrant and welcoming, with brightly colored, soft furniture and motivational murals. The center is equipped with fidget toys, weighted blankets, therapeutic rocking chairs and other tools designed to calm and comfort young patients.
In a medical crisis, our first instinct is often to head to the nearest hospital emergency department. This is usually a good choice for physical ailments, but for mental health crises, the right path hasn’t always been clear. With the establishment of UCCs across the state, families now have a clear and effective option.
Together with three other UCCs established in Connecticut—at Wellmore Behavioral Health in Waterbury, Child & Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut in New London and Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven—more than 1,000 children have already received the help they desperately needed.
The UCC was created in response to the growing number of children in crisis who were getting stuck in emergency departments and often waiting for hours or even days without receiving the specialized care they needed. The UCCs bridge this gap, offering a new level of care that is specifically designed to stabilize families and connect them with the ongoing support they require.
While the new centers are a beacon of hope, Connecticut’s youth need them now more than ever, as suicide is the now the second leading cause of death among young people—including children as young as 10. A recent study found that an alarming 14 percent of Connecticut students reported having suicidal thoughts. It’s critical that families, caregivers, schools and service providers know about the UCCs and how to access them.
My son is on the autism spectrum and he gets dysregulated. We were at a place where we didn’t really know where to turn.
For parents like Chelsea Gouldsbrough, whose son Everett is on the autism spectrum and struggles with emotional regulation, the UCC has been a source of solace.
During a particularly challenging moment when Chelsea, a mother of three, felt overwhelmed and out of options, the UCC provided both Chelsea and Everett with the support and comfort they needed and something even more vital: hope.
From the moment Chelsea walked in, she was greeted by a calming environment and a compassionate team. The kindness of the staff alleviated her stress, and she knew she was in capable hands as they guided her through the next steps. The UCC is able to provide immediate, streamlined help in a soothing space—a place Chelsea knows her family can rely on in the future.
URGENT CRISIS RELIEF
14%
of Connecticut students reported having suicidal thoughts.*
More than
500
children and youth have received help from the UCC.
98%
of families who visited the Urgent Crisis Center were satisfied with the service they received.
*data from the Connecticut Department of Public Health