Emergency Services are available to anyone experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The program is staffed by Crisis Counselors who are Graduate-level licensed or license-eligible clinicians and Virginia Certified Preadmission Screeners. Preadmission Screeners are responsible for coordinating psychiatric hospital admissions. Emergency Services focus on individual rights, privacy, confidentiality and use of least restrictive alternative treatments including outpatient services.

How do Emergency Services work?
Emergency Services are reserved for urgent or severe behavioral health crises. Crisis Counselors work hand-in-hand with the Magistrate’s Office, Police Departments, Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center Emergency Department, Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail, private care facilities, families, and individuals.

Emergency Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 757-220-3200 or visiting Colonial Behavioral Health during regular business hours.

Who may benefit from these services?
Any child or adult with mental illness, substance use disorder, or developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities. Anybody requesting services and anybody referred to services because of a behavioral health crisis.

What services are provided?

• Suicide and homicide risk assessment
• Mental status assessment
• Hospital pre-admission screening
• Hospital admission and care coordination
• Civil commitment hearing attendance
• Hospital discharge planning
• Crisis counseling and crisis stabilization