New Behavioral Health Urgent Care Facility Opens in Lumberton, NC
A new behavioral health urgent care facility in Lumberton, North Carolina, managed by Southeastern Integrated Care, is set to open on April 27. This center will provide round-the-clock assistance to both adults and children over the age of four who are dealing with mental health or substance misuse crises. During a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, Anthony Grimaldi, the chief innovation officer for Southeastern Integrated Care, emphasized the center's role in offering a secure environment for individuals experiencing challenging moments.
The facility, located at 105 Farmbrook Drive, aims to assess and triage patients within 15 minutes of their arrival, according to community engagement specialist Aaryn McKenzie. It is equipped to serve up to 12 patients simultaneously, providing immediate services including crisis intervention, substance use disorder assessments, withdrawal management, and telehealth resources. Importantly, services will be available to all individuals regardless of insurance status. Census data indicates that nearly 14% of Robeson County residents under 65 lack health insurance, highlighting the need for accessible care.
Grimaldi highlighted that the new center seeks to alleviate pressure on local hospitals such as UNC Health Southeastern and Scotland Health Care System by directing patients away from emergency departments. The strategy includes collaborations with local emergency medical services and Southeastern Integrated Care’s mobile crisis units. Grimaldi noted that local hospitals often encounter nine to ten psychiatric cases daily that could be more effectively managed at the urgent care facility.
In 2024, Robeson County’s emergency department logged 919 visits for suicidal thoughts, alongside visits for depression and anxiety, underscoring the demand for specialized care outside traditional hospital settings. Renae Taylor, vice president and chief nursing officer at UNC Health Southeastern, pointed out the intensive resource requirements of behavioral health emergencies, reinforcing the need for targeted services like those provided by the new facility.
The center will handle initial involuntary commitment evaluations, a process that traditionally demands significant law enforcement involvement, explained Grimaldi. Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins noted that such tasks often result in extended waiting periods for officers, an issue that the new center aims to address efficiently.
Robust resources have been dedicated to this initiative, with funding contributions from Trillium Health Resources and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Collectively, they have injected $2 million into the project, part of a larger $16 million legislative commitment to expand behavioral health urgent care services across the state.
Robeson County is one of several in North Carolina to benefit from Medicaid-funded developments in this sector, with more centers planned in various counties. Cindy Ehlers, chief strategy and innovation officer at Trillium, emphasized the importance of accessible care across diverse geographies, irrespective of urban or rural settings. These initiatives are seen as a crucial step in improving behavioral health services for populations intersecting with the criminal justice system. Grimaldi expressed a commitment to providing a non-judgmental, immediate care environment at the new facility.