On March 18, Cook County Health was joined by local leaders to cortar la cinta on the Cook County Health’s Clinical Triage and Stabilization Center, located at Provident Hospital.

The 12-chair Center, that will open on March 24, is for people experiencing mental health crises but do not require inpatient hospital care. Patients can receive compassionate, personalized care for up to 23 hours and work with a medical team to connect into the next appropriate level of care.

Cook County has invested nearly $4 million to build out this space that will provide immediate mental health care services beginning next week.  Funding for this project came from the American Rescue Plan Act, allocated to the health system by Cook County government.

“When we invest in behavioral health, we build safer, healthier communities,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “I applaud Cook County Health for leading the way in this work and for ensuring that more residents have access to the care they deserve.”

“Cook County Health is proud of the work we are doing in the behavioral health space to ensure that persons across Cook County who are struggling can find the type of care they need, where they need it, when they need it,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, Cook County Health CEO.

The Clinical Triage and Stabilization Center will support patients who are:

• Experiencing anxiety or panic attacks
• Having growing depression symptoms
• Coping with a recent trauma or loss
• Recently discharged from another hospital or correctional facility
• Feeling wild mood swings, or
• Undergoing opioid withdrawal but don’t have significant medical risk factors

All patients will receive a medical and psychiatric screening at the Provident Hospital Emergency Department before going to the Center for specialized behavioral health care.

Patients who come to the Clinical Triage and Stabilization Center will receive:

• A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
• An integrated care plan created with the help of expert behavioral health technicians, recovery coaches and social workers
• Therapeutic interventions, including one-on-one sessions, group therapy and activities

“It can be daunting for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis to access care. And being in traditional hospital settings can sometimes even aggravate the symptoms of a person in crisis,” said Dr. Tom Nutter, Chief Behavioral Health Officer. “This Center provides a warm entry point to care and helps us work with the patient to develop a long-term care plan.”

All patients will be observed during their entire stay to monitor vital signs and ensure needs are being met. Any necessary medical tests or lab work can also be done at the Center.

Construction of the Center was led by the Cook County Bureau of Asset Management.

“At the Department of Capital Planning and Policy, we take great pride in designing and delivering high-quality spaces that serve our community,” said Elizabeth Granato, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Asset Management at Cook County Government. “This project was a true collaboration between DCPP and Cook County Health, and our work ensures that our healthcare infrastructure aligns with the evolving needs of the community. We are proud to build spaces that enhance care, improve outcomes, and serve the people of Cook County.”

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2021, but fewer than 48 percent (47.2) received treatment. This is the latest in a series of investments in mental health services

In  2024, Cook County Health held its first Cumbre de salud conductual, bringing together health care and social service providers, mental health advocates, community leaders and elected officials to discuss how to improve access and care in Cook County. Care for individuals experiencing mental health crisis was identified as a need on Chicago’s South Side during the summit.

Con base en las necesidades identificadas a través de la cumbre, en junio, el Departamento de Salud del Condado de Cook... galardonado con 53 organizaciones comunitarias, proveedores de atención médica y otros grupos sin fines de lucro un total de $44 millones en subvenciones financiadas por ARPA para apoyar una variedad de servicios de salud mental y uso de sustancias, que incluyen atención en la escuela, intervención en crisis, prevención, medicación para el tratamiento de adicciones y terapia integral.

CCH plans to release a strategic plan to address outstanding regional behavioral health needs and strengthen local infrastructure to support health care career development and clinical services next month.