In 2020, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (GCBHS) took a significant step toward expanding mental health and substance use services by launching a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) at its Amelia location. At the time, it was one of only two behavioral health organizations in Ohio to receive this federal grant. Since then, the clinic has continued to grow, introducing new programs designed to meet the evolving needs of the community—including the launch of the Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) in January 2024 and The Peer Living Room in Fall 2024.
The concept of the BHUC is rather new and part of the future vision in Ohio’s crisis continuum. Alicia Fine, Chief Program Officer & Sr. VP, compares it to an urgent care one would visit for traditional medical needs. She explains, “When we have an urgent physical illness, many of us go to an urgent care to see a doctor. A Behavioral Health Urgent Care offers a place for adults to see a psychiatrist, counselor, or care manager for services that address immediate needs around stressful events, symptom changes, medication side effects, or medication changes.”
According to Sam Murphy, Associate Director of Behavioral Health Services at the CCBHC, urgent care helps fill a gap in service. “When symptoms escalate, sometimes the emergency room feels like the only viable option. But the BHUC acts as a safety net for outpatient behavioral health needs and serves as an alternative to a local ER.”
The BHUC staff provide same-day support, including brief counseling and symptom management. Just like in the physical health urgent care system, patients receive an after-visit summary with clear recommendations for ongoing treatment. The goal is to ensure they leave with a roadmap for next steps—whether that means ongoing services with GCBHS or being connected to outside providers for additional care.
Sam shares a story about a recent BHUC visit: “We received a call from a school. A student was discharged from a psychiatric hospital and facing homelessness. That same day, through the BHUC, the student received nursing care, counseling, psychiatry, and care management services—all essential to addressing their urgent needs. The next day, the student was enrolled in the GCBHS TIP program (Transition to Independence Process), which assists young people with supportive services as they navigate the path to adulthood, ensuring they have the tools to succeed."
"Being in TIP allowed the student to resume their education, find temporary housing, and obtain resources and support needed for success. They are currently doing very well."
The Behavioral Health Urgent Care in Amelia is located at 43 E. Main Street. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is open to anyone 18 years of age and older who may have an urgent mental health need or substance use issue. The program is currently grant funded, which means a person’s insurance status or county/state of residence is not a barrier to service.
“At the end of the day,” says Sam, “we are building a bridge to care and helping people find the services that they need, when they need them.”
