CINCINNATI — In a powerful response to the nationwide youth mental health crisis, Cincinnati’s city council has approved a $250,000 investment to expand a vital local program providing urgent care mental health services to young people in crisis.
The funding supports the expansion of Best Point Education & Behavioral Health’s Youth Mental Health Urgent Care program — a lifeline launched in 2021 amid a surge of mental health-related emergency room visits. The program offers rapid-response mental health assessments, intervention, and support for youth and families who can’t afford to wait for a traditional therapy appointment.
“If they have a situation that really needs care right now, and it can’t wait until next week or the next regular appointment, they now have an option,” said Debbie Gingrich, Chief Program Officer at Best Point.
A Critical Need
The urgency of the investment is backed by sobering statistics: in 2023, nearly 40% of U.S. high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless, while 1 in 5 seriously considered suicide, according to the CDC. In Cincinnati, community organizations have seen those national trends reflected in real-time, with local families seeking faster access to mental health care.
Since its inception, Best Point’s program has delivered 887 crisis services, helping stabilize youth and guide families toward long-term mental health plans.
“They’re coming in during a distressing time, so we want to make the environment as calming and inviting as we can,” said Gingrich.
Expanded Hours, Expanded Access
Thanks to the new funding, the program plans to extend its hours, especially during peak after-school times when demand surges.
“Our most common time to have a wait is right when we open at 3 p.m.,” Gingrich explained. “So we’re really looking at how we can offer these services earlier in the day, to be more available when kids and families need us.”
Addressing Systemic Gaps
The investment also helps bridge critical insurance and funding gaps. According to Dani Green, Chief Clinical Officer at Best Point, one major barrier is the lack of recognized billing codes for mental health urgent care services.
“There are no mental health urgent care billing codes that currently exist,” said Green. “So what that means is we only receive funding every time a client shows for a service. The city funding this has really helped make it possible.”
Real-World Impact
Beyond immediate stabilization, the program teaches youth real-time coping mechanisms they can use outside the clinical setting.
“It’s one thing to say, ‘Here’s a list of coping skills,’” said Green. “It’s another thing to actually practice them while you’re in crisis and see how they can regulate your emotions.”
The initiative has already led to reduced hospital admissions and lower parental stress, signaling its long-term value to families and the broader community.
As Cincinnati deepens its investment in mental health infrastructure, programs like Best Point’s urgent care initiative are proving that timely, compassionate, and specialized support can save lives.
