New Jersey opens first crisis stabilization center in Essex County, expansion planned for Morris County

NEWARK, N.J. (Essex County) — New Jersey has opened its first Crisis Receiving Stabilization Center in Essex County, with additional sites planned, including one in Morris County, as part of an effort to expand mental health and substance use crisis services statewide.

The center, operated through a partnership between the New Jersey Department of Human Services and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, is part of the state’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline system. Officials said the facility provides a “no wrong door” approach, allowing individuals in crisis to receive immediate care regardless of how they enter the system.

The Newark-based, nonhospital center offers short-term, community-based support for individuals experiencing mental health, substance use or suicidal crises, typically for less than 24 hours.

“These centers grow the state’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline continuum of crisis services in New Jersey—someone to call, someone to respond and somewhere safe to go,” said Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha. “This center represents years of dedication and careful planning to create a system that meets people where they are and helps stabilize crises before they escalate. The Newark center is the first of five planned locations throughout the state that aims to bring urgent, community-based behavioral health care directly to the people who need it most.”

The facility, located at 183 South Orange Ave., operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and accepts walk-ins, as well as individuals brought in by crisis response teams, law enforcement and emergency responders. Services are available regardless of insurance or ability to pay.

“We believe this new program will enhance access to care, provide a safe and inviting alternative to conventional hospital emergency rooms, and effectively help to stabilize individuals experiencing psychiatric crises,” said Rutgers University President William F. Tate IV. “This more inviting and comfortable setting offers an opportunity to help reduce acute symptoms and enables warm handoffs, allowing for continuity of treatment and a return to more normalized community-based care and services. We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to serving individuals and families over the coming months and years.”

State officials said the center is designed to reduce reliance on hospital emergency rooms and limit unnecessary law enforcement involvement by providing a dedicated space for crisis care.

“The 9-8-8 program has become a lifeline for thousands of New Jersey residents experiencing mental health or substance use crises,” said state Sen. Joseph F. Vitale. “The comprehensive system gives people the resources they need when they need them – specifically, someone to call, someone to respond and somewhere to go.”

The center will serve adults experiencing behavioral health crises and provide evaluation, stabilization and referrals for ongoing care. Admission is voluntary unless an individual is deemed a danger to themselves or others.

“The opening of this center marks the launch of a critical new service for the people of New Jersey. The center offers a safe, comfortable and therapeutic haven for individuals experiencing acute behavioral health symptoms and periods of destabilization,” said Frank A. Ghinassi, president and chief executive of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. “Through our partnership with the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, we are now able to provide a place where individuals can access care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We are grateful to be part of this new solution and are confident it will help to relieve the stresses on hospital emergency rooms in Essex County.”

“At University Hospital, we applaud the launch of the 24/7 Essex County Crisis Receiving Stabilization Center, as we see first-hand the need for community resources to support people with mental health and substance use disorder who need community services,” said Carole Johnson, president and chief executive officer of University Hospital. “Thank you to our partners at Rutgers and to the New Jersey Department of Human Services for working with University Hospital to help to meet the needs of our community.”

“These centers are a safe alternative for individuals in crisis, connecting people directly to care and support without relying on costly emergency rooms or unnecessary law enforcement involvement. By providing a community-based alternative, these centers can help reduce unnecessary ER visits and hospitalizations while ensuring people get the right level of care when they need it most,” said Valerie Mielke, deputy commissioner for health services at the Department of Human Services. “We are proud to bring this impactful resource to the community, knowing it delivers timely support and connects individuals with the services they need.”

Officials said four additional centers are planned across the state, including locations in Morris, Bergen, Monmouth/Middlesex and Camden counties.