For a behavioral health center called Solvista Health, May 5, also known as Cinco de Mayo, seems like a fine day for a celebration. Not only is May Mental Health Month, but that day marks the long-awaited grand opening of the Solvista Regional Assessment Center (RAC) for mental health and substance use crisis treatment.
The Solvista Health Regional Assessment Center (RAC) located at 7166 CR 154 on the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center campus in Salida is creating a community grand opening set for 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, May 5. That day it will open its doors to the public for tours, and a celebration of Solvista’s 60th anniversary as a local/regional non-profit.
After years of increasing need and community discussion around crisis treatment, this first-of-its-kind facility in our region is a reality. Solvista is opening the doors for community members to see the facility in person before they begin treating individuals in a service area that includes Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, and surrounding counties. This region has never had high acuity levels of care for mental health and substance use treatment, forcing residents to often travel over 100 miles to receive the right level of help.
The Regional Assessment Center will provide:
- Acute Treatment – intensive, short-term treatment for severe mental health and substance use issues
- Withdrawal Management – a safe, supervised treatment space to withdraw from alcohol and drugs
- Crisis Respite Care – a place to comfortably and safely get a break from a difficult situation
“Our state ranks in the top 10 nationally for alarming rates of drug and alcohol problems, and yet we are also among the highest for unmet treatment needs,” says Brian Turner, Solvista Health CEO. “The Regional Assessment Center provides dignified, person-centered care to individuals in crisis. This has been a critical gap in our local continuum of care.”
Solvista teamed up with local partners and community leaders to design a facility that will provide what it calls “an integrated, comprehensive approach to crisis services”. More than 50 public and private organizations signed on in support of this project, demonstrating awareness of the region’s mental health challenges and their commitment to making local communities healthy, thriving places to live, work and play.
“We are incredibly grateful for the donations given so far to help complete this $6.5 million facility,” said Jill Anderson, Solvista Health Development Director. “There is still need, and every gift is critical to help fund this project.” Individuals who are unable to attend the event can still be a part of this important project by donating at, www.solvistahealth.org or call Jill Anderson at 719-275-2351.
Community members can register for the event on Eventbrite or visit the Solvista Health Facebook page.
Ark Valley Voice featured Solvista Health earlier this year in a story about their multi-county behavioral health service area.
Featured image: An artist’s rendering of the new Solvista Regional Assessment Center, which will celebrate its grand opening in just a few weeks, on May 5, 2022. Courtesy image.
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