BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Millions of dollars are about to be spent to build a new crisis mental health intake center in Bowling Green.
The state budget provides $20 million for the Anchor Project, an effort to combat mental health and substance abuse in the region.
“It’s going to change the way we deal with mental health, substance abuse disorders, and citizens in crisis,” Bowling Green City Commissioner Sue Paligin said.
Paligin said the center will help people battling drug addiction by giving them immediate access to treatment rather than taking them to prison.
She went on to say, “In effect, our mental health crisis centers are basically our prisons. We can bypass that system and get the help they need, but many people are being taken to prison.”
The center is sponsored by LifeSkills, a nonprofit organization that supports people with mental illness and addiction. The center provides different levels of care. One level of care is for up to 23 hours, the second level of care is for 3 to 5 days for those who need more detailed services, and his third level of care is for up to 12 hours for those who need it. I will stay for days. For even more stability.
Joe Dan Beavers, CEO of LifeSkills Inc. Provide continuity of care while they are experiencing a crisis. ”
Paligin said this not only helps people in need of mental health services, but could also have a positive impact on people who are incarcerated for substance abuse and experiencing homelessness.
Paligin said, “If you’re incarcerated, it’s impossible to go to work. You end up losing your job, and if you don’t have a job, you can’t pay your rent. Then you end up in a hopeless situation.”
This facility will serve the Barren River Regional Development District area and will be available to more than 300,000 citizens.
The patient intake center will be located near LifeSkills’ facility on Lovers Lane in Bowling Green.
