When communities face behavioral health crises, the default solutions often involve incarceration or emergency room visits. While these options might seem like the quickest route to care, they come with hidden costs that can strain the individuals in crisis, families, and healthcare systems alike. To truly address the behavioral health crisis, it’s time to reconsider how we allocate resources and explore more sustainable, impactful alternatives.
The financial toll
The cost of this misaligned system is staggering. Emergency departments (EDs), which are often not equipped to handle psychiatric emergencies, experience long boarding times and high costs. On average, boarding costs approximately $2,700 per day, not including additional costs that are difficult to tie to an individual visit. These extended stays, lasting an average of 18 hours before being seen at a hospital, consume critical hospital resources and delay care for those in need.
Meanwhile, local governments and healthcare systems bear the financial weight of repeated hospitalizations and justice system involvement. But there’s a better way. In one state, over $260 million was saved through targeted investments in community-based crisis care solutions, highlighting just how fiscally responsible the right model can be.
The systemic impact
The reliance on inpatient care creates ripple effects throughout the healthcare system. Hospitals often operate at capacity, leaving few beds available for those in critical need. Emergency rooms face prolonged wait times, and patients frequently cycle back through the system due to inadequate follow-up care. This inefficiency not only impacts patients but also burdens law enforcement and public safety services, as they become the default responders to crises.
The human cost
Beyond financial and systemic strain, the human cost of relying on hospital-based care is profound. Patients in crisis are often met with environments ill-suited to their needs, leading to worse outcomes and increased risk of readmission. Families are left navigating a fragmented system with little support, while communities face the long-term consequences of untreated mental health conditions.
A better way forward
At Connections, we believe there’s a better solution. Our crisis stabilization centers offer a specialized, multi-disciplinary approach that provides faster, more effective care at a fraction of the cost. By addressing crises before they escalate, we reduce the need for hospitalization, alleviate strain on public safety systems, and deliver better outcomes for individuals and communities alike.
The time to rethink behavioral health crisis care is now. Let’s shift the focus from reactionary hospital stays to proactive, community-centered solutions that create lasting change.
Discover how crisis response centers are saving money while transforming behavioral health outcomes. Hear from leading experts at our upcoming webinar on August 20th at 3pm EST. Register today to secure your spot!