Stamford Health Unveils New Unit For Children And Adolescents In Need Of Emergency Behavioral Health Care

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford Health last week unveiled its new Bennett Child & Adolescent EmPATH Unit and PATHways Program, expanding access to behavioral health care for children and adolescents experiencing psychiatric emergencies in Fairfield County.

The unit, located in the Stamford Hospital Emergency Department, is designed to provide rapid psychiatric evaluation, treatment and stabilization in a specialized setting for young patients in crisis.

The Bennett Child & Adolescent EmPATH Unit and PATHways Program are scheduled to open in August.

Stamford Health said the program is the first EmPATH program in Connecticut designed specifically for children and adolescents and the second EmPATH unit in the state.

The Carl & Dorothy Bennett Foundation contributed $1 million to support the initiative, with both the EmPATH Unit and PATHways Program named in recognition of the gift.

The EmPATH model, which stands for Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment and Healing, provides behavioral health care in a dedicated unit rather than a traditional emergency department setting, where psychiatric patients may experience extended stays while awaiting placement. Stamford Health said patients typically receive evaluation and stabilization within 24 to 48 hours.

"This is about meeting the youth in our community where they are, when they need us most," said Stamford Health Cahri of Psychiatry Dr. Raviv Berlin, in a news release. "Our new EmPATH Unit allows us to deliver the right care, in the right setting, at the right time, while treating every patient with empathy, dignity, and respect."

According to Stamford Health, the unit is designed to reduce stress and trauma while providing developmentally appropriate care for children and adolescents. Patients receive psychiatric evaluation, treatment and stabilization before clinicians determine the next level of care.

Patients discharged from the EmPATH Unit may transition to the PATHways Program, a 12-week outpatient program that provides therapy, psychiatric support and care coordination while patients await longer-term behavioral health services.

Stamford Health said patients continue working with the same clinical team that treated them in the EmPATH Unit.

"As outlined in our annual Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), behavioral health remains the No. 1 unmet need in our community," added Stamford Health President and CEO Kathleen Silard. "With the launch of the Bennett Child & Adolescent EmPATH unit and PATHways Program, we are addressing a critical health need while expanding access to timely, developmentally appropriate care for young patients and their families during moments of crisis."

Stamford Health said the programs are part of its broader plan to expand behavioral health services on its Bennett Medical Center campus, including converting the existing Bennett Cancer Center into a two-story behavioral health facility that will include a Partial Hospitalization Program and outpatient interventional psychiatric services.

"Every child deserves access to timely behavioral health care, especially during a crisis," said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said in a news release. "As we continue to confront a youth mental health crisis, I commend Stamford Health for its work in expanding access to the compassionate, specialized care our children, families, and community need. I am proud to have helped secure funding for this new EmPATH Unit and PATHways Program."

"Access to top-quality behavioral health care services, including among children and adolescents, is critical to strengthening overall health and providing timely crisis intervention," said Gov. Ned Lamont in a news release. "Stamford Health's expansion of mental health services helps Connecticut broaden our ability to ensure that everyone in need of this care has the support they deserve."

During the ribbon-cutting event, Lamont signed House Bill 5004, legislation aimed at strengthening child well-being and expanding support for children and families across Connecticut.

Stamford Health Blumenthal and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy helped secure federal funding for the EmPATH Unit, while state Sen. Ceci Maher (D-26) and state Rep. Corey Paris (D-145) secured operational funding.