Temporary behavioral crisis center to open in Columbia; permanent solution still in works

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Burrell Behavioral Health has come up with a temporary solution while awaiting a decision of financial support from the City of Columbia. 

Burrell will utilize space at its Stephens Lake Clinic to open a 24/7 Rapid Access Unit until a more permanent solution can be funded and constructed.

Burrell anticipates opening the temporary solution by July of this year.

“Burrell Behavioral Health’s work to open a temporary 24/7 behavioral crisis center is an important step in providing access to care that will have rippling positive effects for the community. Burrell’s quick action to create this interim solution has the potential to assist nearly 800 individuals in our community in its first year,” said City of Columbia Mayor Brian Treece in a release.

The temporary solution will cost Burrell between $450,000 and $500,000 to build out, with additional costs for staffing this temporary Rapid Access Unit, an amount originally earmarked for the permanent, full-service Behavioral Crisis Center proposed in July 2021.