KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — It went from an old, shut-down hospital building to a new mental health crisis facility. The McNabb Center's EmPATH unit opened its doors two months ago, with leaders describing it as a "first of its kind" service in the state.
"Everyone walks out with a plan with a connection to some service that directly relates to the reason that they walked in the door," said Candance Allen with McNabb Center.
The unit has cared for almost 300 people since launching in early June — an average of around four to five people a day.
"I think what we will see in the future is that we're going to see an increase in people," Allen said.
The EmPATH unit is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and helps anyone over the age of 18. Leaders with the center said they help most people during nighttime hours.
"The majority of the people that are coming to us are usually probably between the time about 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.," Allen said.
The psychiatrists and nurses at the center treat a range of crises including co-occurring disorders, meaning someone can be struggling with a mental health diagnosis and a substance use disorder. Advocates for the center said some of the most common mental health cases in the community range from general anxiety to post-traumatic stress disorder.
"Depression is the most frequent single diagnosis," said Ben Harrington, from the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee.
If someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, they can go to the EmPATH unit rather than being directed straight to the emergency room.
"Could they go somewhere else if they could get served? And that certainly changes the dynamic," Harrington said.
Anyone who has thoughts of suicide or simply needs someone to talk to can also call 988 and connect with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.