A new Visalia health facility means youth suffering from mental health crises can get focused care 24 hours a day.

Kaweah Health and the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency partnered to open the 12-bed Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit at 230 NW Third St.

There, children and transitional youth — those 21 years old and younger — can receive acute psychiatric care away from an emergency department setting where many typically have to go to receive treatment, according to a Kaweah Health news release.

“Mental health is a major issue in Tulare County and children are among the most impacted portions of our population,” said Marc Mertz, Kaweah Health’s chief strategy officer. “These children are typically seen in local emergency departments or must leave the community to seek mental health services. Far too many of them go untreated. This new facility will ensure that our children can get the mental health support they need where they need it.”

24/7 Care Less Restrictive on Youth in Crisis

Kaweah Health will staff the stabilization unit through its Graduate Medical Education Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship program, which trains child and adolescent psychiatrists. A $5 million grant from California Health Facilities Financing Authority helped fund the facility.

Youth can receive crisis evaluation, intervention, stabilization, as well as psychiatric services and discharge care there. It will accept direct referrals and walk-ins.

Tulare County Behavioral Health Branch Director Natalie Bolin said the facility provides a less restrictive space for youth in need of care including those suffering from suicidal thoughts.

“These 24/7 facilities offer a safe, healing-centered space with psychiatry, therapeutic activities, and trained staff to address issues like suicidal thoughts or severe stressors, allowing youth to remain connected to their community and de-escalate situations before they become unmanageable emergencies.”