Our BHUC-Lite is a 24-hour, 7 day a week health care center for those experiencing a behavioral health crisis and will serve as an alternative option to a hospital Emergency Department.
Wentworth, NC (April 9, 2024) – Rockingham County Government in partnership with Daymark Recovery Services Inc., Vaya Health and the NC Department of Health and Human Services, have opened a Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC-Lite) facility in the heart of the county. This 24-hour, 7 day a week health care center will allow those experiencing a behavioral health crisis an alternative option in their time of need.
“Without the vision of the NC Department of Health and Human Services, Rockingham County Commissioners, hard work of the Rockingham County Managers Office and North Carolina Legislature we would not have the vision nor funding for a BHUC.” Daymark Recovery Services CEO, Billy West said, “Without the support of Vaya Health we would not have the continued support to sustain services like these.”
The Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC-Lite) will provide triage, crisis risk assessment, evaluation and intervention to individuals whose behavioral health crisis response needs are deemed to be urgent. This facility will be an alternative, but not a replacement, to a hospital Emergency Department. Individuals receiving this service will be evaluated, then stabilized and/or referred to the most appropriate level of care.
“When someone we love is struggling, we want them to receive the best care possible, in the most appropriate setting possible.” said Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director of the NC DHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services. “Thanks to the investments in our behavioral health system, we are greatly expanding the state’s capacity to provide specialized care for individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. We are truly building a pathway from crisis to care.”
“We have seen the need for behavioral health services not just here, but statewide,” stated District 65 Representatives Reece Pyrtle, in regards to the development of this facility. “It’s why I work hard in our Legislature to ensure that not only my community, but those struggling across North Carolina, had a safe place to go.”
Representative Prytle and Director Crosbie are referring to the $835 million behavioral health investment passed in the most recent state budget. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will partner with LME/MCOs, like Vaya Health, to not only strengthen but expand the health care system aimed at serving children and adults experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis.
“Our BHUC-lite is a one-of-a-kind in North Carolina.” commented County Manager Lance Metzler, “This facility will run on a smaller scale compared to the limited number of Behavioral Health Urgent Cares in operation across the State. We know folks are eager to see how our BHUC will run and we are excited to set the blueprint.”
“I am very excited to have the behavioral health urgent care available for the citizens of Rockingham County,” stated County Commissioner Houston Barrow. “This is one of the many projects our Board of Commissioners and the Rockingham County Recovers committee (formerly the Opioid Task Force) are working on to help fight against the opioid epidemic and overdose deaths.”
The Rockingham County Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC-Lite) is centrally located in the Town of Wentworth at 355 County Home Road, Reidsville. A ribbon cutting was held on April 9, prior to the official grand opening day, scheduled on April 15, 2024. County Leadership attended alongside state NC DHHS leaders, Daymark Recovery Services staff and Vaya Health representatives to welcome stakeholders and community members to this monumental occasion.