NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A new facility in Nashville is bringing hope to families in crisis.

Just across from the North Nashville Mental Health Cooperative, community and mental health leaders cut the ribbon on Tuesday on a center designed to save young lives.

"Having resources readily available 24/7 regardless of an individual's ability to pay to help serve and stop that, then changes lives literally changes the life of that child and of that family," Mental Health Cooperative CEO Michelle Schafer said.

The new Children and Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit in Nashville is now open to kids ages 4 to 17, becoming the second of its kind in Tennessee.

The first children and youth unit is located in Knoxville.

"Even if it is just five minutes, you never know what the thing is that you say or what encounter you have is going to change someone's life," registered nurse and the Director of Nursing at Emergency Psych Center Mental Health Cooperative, Diana Jackson, explained.

The need is urgent.

State data shows one in six kids ages 6 to 17 experiences a mental health disorder each year. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Tennessee kids between the ages of 10 and 17.

"We know that kids have been struggling and suffering, and they need a really incredible community place to go to get the treatment if they are in crisis from anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation," Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Use Services Commissioner Marie Williams said.

"We have a therapy dog here," Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell explained. "The Nashville Public Library has provided books. It is really just a safe place to get back on your feet as a young person who is going through one of the toughest times of life."

Inside are 15 beds and two observation beds for high risk patients.

Each space is designed with both security and serenity in mind.

"We have a state-of-the-art door system with monitoring that will alert to changes to any of the doors," Jackson described. "They are anti-barricade doors. We have safety features in all of our bathrooms and showers. The doors are designed to keep the rooms safe. It is also a calming environment."

Most stays last one to three days, giving care teams the chance to stabilize, connect and guide families toward continued support.

And the best part? There is no cost.

"They may have absolutely nowhere to turn and no idea what they need to do; all they need to do is call or come here, and hope starts here," Schafer said.

There is no official opening date yet, but the unit is expected to be ready within 30 days.

To request a stay or make a referral, click here.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a prevention network of 161 crisis centers that provides a 24/7, toll-free hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/hope-starts-here-new-nashville-center-to-support-kids-in-mental-health-crisis/