CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Smith Family Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC), a first-of-its-kind facility in Mecklenburg County, is in development and should open in early 2023 in east Charlotte.
A Behavioral Health Urgent Care is an alternative to a hospital emergency department where patients with urgent primary behavioral health needs will receive triage and referral. Services offered at a BHUC include mental health assessments and evaluations, crisis counseling, medication management, referrals to mental health and substance use outpatient treatment, and more.
“In fiscal year 2020 the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners designated mental health as one of its top priorities for improving the wellness and livelihood of residents,” George Dunlap, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, said during Monday's announcement. “This is an important day for the residents of Mecklenburg County as we continue to find innovative ways to support the needs of the community. Our mission could not be accomplished without the support of our partners. I would like to personally thank Steve Smith and the Steve Smith Family Foundation for their desire to collaborate with us in our effort to support mental health needs within the community.”
“Everyone says this is a gift from Steve Smith. This is not a gift from me,” Steve Smith Sr., Founder of the Steve Smith Family Foundation, said. “This is a collaboration with the county, a collaboration with my staff, the Steve Smith Family Foundation, for all of the programs and services that we’ve discovered that this county, city and state need."
The facility is located at 616 Colonnade Drive in east Charlotte, close to Bojangles Coliseum. The location was chosen to make it easily accessible by car or by bus, to eliminate barriers for those who need help.
“You don’t get to pick what storms come into your life," Smith said.
Construction is expected to proceed through 2022 with a projected opening date of January 2023.
Mecklenburg County Dena Diorio said she hopes the facility will help destigmatize seeking mental health help.
“The more we have an opportunity to put these services in our community and make them accessible for people, people will take advantage of them,” Diorio said.
Smith says he knows first hand what it is to wrestle with mental health, and hopes to prevent anyone from suffering in silence
“I've had depression," Smith said." I've had questions of, am I good enough? And today is a press conference to say 1. Yes, we are good enough. No, you no longer are alone. And yes, we can go make a change."
If you or a loved one are facing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, there is help readily available. You can call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or chat with them online. There are also resources in North Carolina available here and in South Carolina available here.
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