The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) is taking a step forward in addressing the limited care options for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis by opening a new clinical space specifically designed to meet the needs of children. The Golisano Children’s Hospital will be inaugurating its Brighter Days Pediatric Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic on July 15th, which was made possible through funding by the Brighter Days Foundation.
Dr. Michael Scharf, chief of child and adolescent psychiatry at URMC, stated that the center aims to help children and families during times of crisis. The primary goals of the clinic are to offer flexible, family-centered alternatives to emergency options currently available. The walk-in clinic will provide children and their families with access to evaluations, crisis intervention, and family-centered support, in addition to other health and wellness services.
One former patient, fourteen-year-old Blaine Hayward Collins, who was previously treated at the child and adolescent psychiatry inpatient unit, is hopeful that the new clinic will improve care for young patients. He expects the clinic to offer more individualized, comfortable, and flexible care that better meets the needs of each patient. Dr. Scharf envisions that the clinic will serve approximately 3,000 patients annually.