HARRISBURG, PA — A groundbreaking step toward transforming behavioral health care in Pennsylvania has taken root in Harrisburg. The Shapiro Administration, continuing its commitment to improving access to mental health and substance use disorder services, has announced the opening of a new Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-in Center. This facility, a collaborative effort among Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry Counties, promises to be a game-changer for individuals and families in crisis.
Open around the clock, 365 days a year, the Connections Emergency Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-in Center offers vital, trauma-informed care to residents ages 14 and older. Whether through its mobile response unit or physical walk-in services, the center aims to reduce the complexities and delays people often face when seeking urgent mental health or substance use disorder treatment. What’s more, care is available regardless of insurance status, ensuring that help is truly accessible to all.
A Vision of Accessible Care
“When someone is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, they need three things: someone to call, someone to respond, and somewhere to go,” said Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). “This center fills a crucial role in the behavioral health ecosystem, providing the immediate support people need in their most vulnerable moments.”
The project embodies Governor Josh Shapiro’s dedication to easing barriers to behavioral health care, an issue long overlooked but now recognized as a pressing public health concern. Through strategic investment and innovative partnerships, this administration is redefining what responsive care looks like.
Strategic Funding for a Critical Need
Funding for the crisis center came through multifaceted efforts, including funds from the American Rescue Plan Act’s Community Mental Health Block Grant, nearly $5.5 million in reinvestment funds from the Capital Area Behavioral Health Collaborative, and nearly $13.1 million channeled into community mental health support. Integral to this funding is Pennsylvania’s share of the multi-billion-dollar opioid settlement with pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors, a deal spearheaded by then-Attorney General Shapiro. These resources reflect the administration’s firm stance on turning settlements into solutions for the people most affected.
Further support was provided by the state’s Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), which allocated $2 million in grants to bolster crisis stabilization services for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones highlighted the dual impact of the initiative, saying, “This walk-in center not only simplifies access to care for those in need but also alleviates pressure on first responders and emergency departments.”
Tailored Support for Unique Challenges
Mental health challenges and substance use disorders frequently overlap, making this center’s integrated approach a lifeline for those navigating these intersecting conditions. By offering specialized care in the least restrictive environment, the facility addresses both immediate crises and systemic gaps in service.
The initiative also reflects a broader shift in handling behavioral health issues, focusing on preventing incarceration or emergency room visits for individuals better served in therapeutic settings. “This center represents a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes health and dignity above all,” stated Dr. Davis-Jones.
Community-Centered Collaboration
The facility represents a unique partnership among the counties it serves, showing how combined leadership and pooled resources can drive impactful change. Commissioners from Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry counties collaborated to establish a solution specifically tailored to their community’s needs. Their dedication underscores the role local governments play in creating opportunities for residents to achieve better health outcomes.
At the same time, Pennsylvania’s behavioral health services are being reinforced statewide. The creation of this center comes on the heels of the Shapiro Administration’s ongoing effort to address the mental health crisis through structural change and community-driven initiatives.
Transforming Lives, One Crisis at a Time
The significance of this center goes beyond the services it offers; it represents renewed hope for individuals and families facing complex circumstances. By prioritizing accessibility and immediacy, the effort sets a standard for behavioral health treatment not just in Pennsylvania but nationally.
Whether someone is struggling with severe anxiety, a substance use crisis, or suicidal ideation, the center provides a haven where they can receive the care they need exactly when they need it. It’s a lifeline for those unable to wait weeks, often months, to secure an appointment with traditional providers.
A Step Toward Thriving Communities
The broader implications for the community cannot be overstated. By reducing barriers to care and emphasizing prevention through timely intervention, centers like this have the potential to reduce homelessness, unemployment, and family instability—all too common outcomes of untreated crises. They also strengthen the community as a whole by promoting recovery, safety, and well-being.
“This program isn’t just about care—it’s about creating a cultural shift,” said Dr. Arkoosh. “It’s setting the tone for how we respond to behavioral health emergencies in the future.”
A New Era in Behavioral Health Support
The Shapiro Administration’s investment in the Connections Emergency Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-in Center signals a new era for behavioral health care in Pennsylvania. By prioritizing accessibility, trauma-informed practices, and integrated care, the administration has created a vital resource to address the state’s rising mental health and substance use challenges. It’s a model rooted in compassion, innovation, and an unwavering belief that every life matters.
For Pennsylvanians who have long waited for inclusive, accessible behavioral health services, the message is clear: help is here, and it’s only the beginning of what’s possible.
If you need someone to talk to, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988. Services are free and confidential. Chat is also available at https://chat.988lifeline.org/.
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