>>How Hyannis’ new wellness center help those struggling with mental health or addiction

HYANNIS — For those struggling with mental health or addiction, a new facility offers hope and help for recovery.

“We’ve been providing mobile services for the last five years, but this is the first time we have all these services under one roof, creating a cleaner pathway for individuals to get ongoing treatment,” said Diane Santoro, vice president of behavioral health integration at Bay Cove Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.

The center, which opened its new, 116 Camp St. facility Jan. 3, provides mobile crisis intervention, outpatient behavioral health care, on-site crisis intervention and evaluation, ongoing therapy and prescription medication, and medications for opioid use disorder treatment, for both adults and youths.

By summer, the nonprofit is scheduled to move all its services under one roof at its permanent location adjacent to Cape Cod Hospital.

“This initiative is focused on restructuring access to community-based mental health services for everyone,” said Santoro.

The center’s goal is to go beyond fixing a crisis.

People working at the center with experience in the system themselves offer support and resources for individuals and families in navigating the complexity of the behavioral health care system. According to Santoro, the primary goal is to provide ongoing support for patients in crisis.

The temporary center also provides referrals and helps patients connect with other services in the community.

“It’s not just about fixing a crisis; it’s also about getting the help they need to receive ongoing treatment and support within the community,” Santoro said.

Bay Cove took over mobile crisis response duties from the state Department of Mental Health

Parent organization Bay Cove Human Services previously provided mobile teams that met with patients struggling with mental health problems and also ran a seven-bed facility in Hyannis. Bay Cove Human Services is a private, nonprofit organization that took over mobile crisis response duties from the state Department of Mental Health in May 2017.

“In addition to traditional prescribing and therapy, we offer peer recovery and (guidance for navigating the mental health care system,)” Santoro said.

Cape Cod Healthcare prescribes medication for Bay Cove’s crisis stabilization unit and outpatient clinic. Bay Cove is also affiliated with Duffy Health Center, with a referral pathway specifically for patients who need treatment for opioid use disorder.

After primary evaluation and assessment, if a patient requires hospitalization or a more secure environment, the center works with Cape Cod Healthcare and transfers patients to the emergency department or a secure facility.

Bay Cove’s seven-bed facility closed after a fire in October.

Bay Cove’s crisis stabilization unit, the seven-bed facility designed for short-term stay, was closed due to a fire in October. According to Santoro, the facility is expected to reopen by the end of March.

The center offers walk-in or 24-hour phone line access and same-day access to emergency services for all patients, regardless of insurance status. The center can be reached by phone at (833) 229-2683, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information, visit https://www.baycovecapecod.org/