The Daily Dose
ER Diversion Program for Those Experiencing Behavioral Health Crises
The Living Room at Ellis Medicine, established in partnership with Rehabilitation Support Services, provides a calm, comfortable setting where individuals experiencing emotional or mental health crises can get help. Staffed by a licensed clinical social worker, peer specialist, and care manager with collaboration from consulting medical staff, the program offers an effective alternative to emergency room care for those 18 years of age and older.
A den and softly lit meditation room offer a calm, home-like environment where guests of the walk-in program can receive an array of services. There, they meet with a mental health clinician who conducts an assessment and provides supportive therapy. A care manager is also on hand to share information and referrals for mental health and substance abuse treatment, physical health assessments, care management services, housing supports, and community resources. The staff also includes a peer specialist who helps guests develop coping skills, decrease their stress level, and overcome barriers to achieve goals. Thus far, the program has served as an effective alternative to the emergency room, with only about three percent of guests requiring emergency care.
If you would like more information about The Living Room program, please call (518) 243-1523.
Adele O'Connell About the Author
Adele joined CDPHP in 2004 as an internal communications and event specialist. She then spent eight years coordinating the company’s community relations and corporate events program, in which capacity she worked with a host of non-profit organizations and co-chaired the CDPHP annual Charity of Choice campaign. Currently, she is a communications specialist and coordinator of corporate member engagement and serves on the boards of two local charities. Prior to CDPHP, Adele served as a legislative assistant for a trade association and as an acquisitions and developmental editor, specializing in educational and medical publishing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Rosemont College.
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