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First-of-its-kind Mental Health Urgent Care for youth helps close gaps in care

Last year, Social Services staff were given a unique opportunity through a state grant to expand services provided at the Mental Health Urgent Care. The Mental Health Urgent Care located at 402 University Ave. E. became the first in the state to support youths ages 13-18 and their families with extended, urgent care hours, the 24/7 crisis line and off-site respite services.

Ramsey County has offered crisis mental health services for adults at the Mental Health Urgent Care for several years, but not to youths. The expansion aims to reduce the burden on local emergency rooms, provide more appropriate mental health crisis interventions and respond to feedback from community about the need for more resources for youth. The grant-funded expanded services and remodeled space are intended to serve as a model for the rest of the state to support the health and well-being of our communities–particularly our young people–and help close current gaps in care.

Community feedback

Community, hospital partners and staff attended information sessions and participated in a survey that guided programming and decision-making throughout the expansion. Family involvement is key at the Mental Health Urgent Care and puts families at the center of decision-making on their path to stabilization.

The youth expansion was soft-launched in August and now, after a revision of the billing structure based on important community feedback, is being promoted widely to reach youths and their families across Ramsey County.

At a time when the U.S. Surgeon General has declared youth mental health a public health crisis, these new resources are needed more than ever. The Mental Health Urgent Care empowers our youth and families to care for their mental well-being by increasing access to psychiatric and mental health care 365 days a year. Ramsey County is here to help, every step of the way.

• Watch video about youth mental health urgent care