Western Tidewater Community Services Board outlines crisis-care expansion and Same Day Access in Suffolk

Brandon Rogers, executive director of the Western Tidewater Community Services Board, told the Suffolk City Council on Feb. 5 that the board provides a range of behavioral-health services to Suffolk residents and is expanding crisis-care capacity.

"Same Day Access——where you see a clinician and are assessed for whatever services are best suited for you——is our primary entry point into services for the city of Suffolk," Rogers said, describing the board's central intake program. He said Same Day Access operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with most assessments taking about two hours.

Rogers outlined the board's clinical services, including outpatient therapy (individual and group), psychiatric and medication management provided by psychiatrists and nurse practitioners, telehealth options, and case management. He described SCIP, the school counseling and intervention program that places a staff member in each Suffolk Public School, and the ACT (assertive community treatment) team that provides intensive, in‑community services to people with serious mental illness.

Rogers highlighted The Haven, a 24/7 walk-in crisis center on Godwin Boulevard in the Chuckatuck area near the Dominion building. "The Haven is a 24/7 walk-in center that is there to support individuals that are in crisis in our community," he said. Rogers said The Haven provides around-the-clock staff including nurse practitioners, peer support specialists and licensed clinicians who may work with an individual for up to 23 hours. He said the board hopes soon to open a crisis stabilization unit with up to 16 beds for individuals who need care longer than the initial 23‑hour period; that unit would allow stays of up to two weeks without hospital admission. Rogers also said the site will co-locate substance use services, permanent supportive housing, vocational and day supports, and that the board offers 24‑hour transportation to and from the campus for people who cannot reach it on their own.

Rogers listed community trainings and prevention services the CSB offers at no charge: Mental Health First Aid (an eight-hour course), Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) trainings, Revive (an opioid overdose and naloxone education program), Together and Pride support groups for LGBTQIA+ community members, and Nurturing Parenting. He invited public feedback at a town hall on Feb. 18, 6:30–8:00 p.m., and noted the Western Tidewater Community Coalition meets regularly (upcoming dates listed in Rogers' slide as March 28 and May 30). Rogers corrected a slide error and provided the correct ZIP code for the Commercial Lane office as 23434.

Council members commended the CSB and urged broader public outreach and participation in trainings. Council Member Johnson said, "We're we're in a mental crisis in this country today, and we all need to be aware of where it's going and what we can do." Vice Mayor Ward urged breaking stigma and, during remarks, said of stigma, "throw that stigma in the garbage." Several council members said they plan to attend Mental Health First Aid training and other CSB events.

Ending: Rogers said the CSB will continue to seek community feedback and will expand public engagement; council members urged staff and community groups to help spread information about services and trainings.