To help address the increase in teen suicide and the growing crisis of mental and emotional distress in children and adolescents, Northwell Health has opened an innovative behavioral health center in Rockville Centre. Made possible by a unique collaboration between Northwell’s Cohen Children’s Medical Center, five Long Island school districts and State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, the new center fills a gap in mental health care that has left many families struggling to find timely help for children experiencing problems.

One out of five young people today suffer from mental health issues, and suicide is the second-leading cause of death for adolescents and children as young as age 10. There were several teen suicides last year in Long Island school districts.

“There’s a severe shortage of adolescent mental health specialists in the state and around the country, and stigma keeps many families from reaching out for help,” said Northwell President & CEO Michael J. Dowling. “This new center can make an enormous difference by offering urgently needed care in a welcoming, non-intimidating setting. I applaud State Senator Kaminsky and local school officials for making this program a reality.”

Sen. Kaminsky was instrumental in creating the new model of community-embedded urgent care, which is designed to overcome barriers posed by the shortage of providers and low insurance reimbursements. A child psychiatrist and licensed mental health counselor are available at the center five days a week to provide expedited assessment, initial treatment and navigation to ongoing care for students struggling with behavioral health issues. Students will be referred by the East Rockaway, Freeport, Hewlett-Woodmere, Oceanside and Rockville Centre school districts.

The center is unique in the way it streamlines care and makes it immediately available, said Senator Kaminsky. It typically takes parents four to six weeks or more to arrange an appointment with a mental health provider.

“There was a need in our community for a new approach in addressing the mental health needs of our children,” Sen. Kaminsky said. “I’m proud to work with Northwell to pioneer this unique model of providing students access to top-notch critical mental health services.”

New York State Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, who represents the 21st District, said the center is an important resource for families on Long Island. “Providing essential mental health care to our adolescent community is crucial and can save lives,” Assemb. Griffin said. “So many parents, teachers, administrators and school board members have expressed the need for services like these. Sadly, in the past year we lost two beautiful teens to suicide, and I believe that increased awareness and support is what we need. With this new Northwell facility, residents will have a place to go when they feel lost and are in need of support, and I am so proud that teens will have access to it.”

Charles Schleien, MD, senior vice president and executive director of pediatric services at Northwell, said the center is part of the health system’s ongoing effort to meet the behavioral health needs of children and teens. In 2017, Cohen Children’s Medical Center opened a Pediatric Behavioral Health Center in New Hyde Park, which offers same-day interventions for young people experiencing a crisis. In addition, in a program launched in 2017 by Northwell’s dedicated psychiatric facility, South Oaks Hospital, a child psychiatrist regularly visits schools in seven districts across Long Island to provide drop-in mental health services for students.

“It is essential for students and families to have access to a high-quality behavioral health center,” said Ralph Marino, Jr., Ed.D., superintendent of Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools. “This collaboration with Northwell provides instant access to care, and that can make a world of difference.”