BHN Launches Community Behavioral Health Centers
SPRINGFIELD — Behavioral Health Network Inc. (BHN) announced that its new centers for well-being officially launched this week, born out of the state’s new Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHC) designation and designed to streamline and shorten wait times for individuals seeking behavioral-health treatment with MassHealth insurance.
BHN’s Community Behavioral Health Center is based at its Liberty Street campus in Springfield and serves the Springfield and Westfield catchment area, which includes 17 cities and towns in the region.
This new model of behavioral-health services, which the organization has named BHN WellBeing, officially launched on Jan. 3 with the goal of ensuring the right mental healthcare when and where people need it: “at home, in your community, at our clinic, and/or via telehealth.”
BHN WellBeing centers are located at 417 Liberty St., Springfield, and 77 Mill St., Westfield. The hours for walk-in care at both locations are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those seeking care can also call (413) 301-9355 to be connected to services, or visit bhninc.org for more information.
BHN WellBeing and the CBHC model serves as an entry point for timely, high-quality mental-health and substance-use-disorder treatment. The main goal is to expand access, including same-day access to assessments, urgent stabilization, medication management, evidenced-based psychotherapy, and crisis services.
Other offerings that are part of BHN WellBeing include connection with peer specialists (individuals who have had similar experiences to those seeking treatment); help with navigating support services, including insurance, housing, and food; and skill-building workshops.
According to President and CEO Steve Winn, “BHN welcomes the opportunity to provide much-needed behavioral-health services and greater access in the coverage areas designated by the Commonwealth. We believe this will serve the state and region well, and we are pleased to be a part of this new and critically important initiative.”
BHN’s Community Behavioral Health Center catchment area includes Agawam, Blandford, Chester, East Longmeadow, Granville, Hampden, Huntington, Indian Orchard, Longmeadow, Montgomery, Russell, Southwick, Springfield, Tolland, Westfield, West Springfield, and Wilbraham. Existing clients living in other towns may continue to access care from BHN.
The CBHC designation was awarded by the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership, the single statewide behavioral-health vendor for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services’ MassHealth program.