Beginning on July 1, Weston children, adolescents, and adults facing mental health challenges can receive a free, prompt assessment and a referral for ongoing care.

The Weston Urgent Assessment Program, a partnership with the town of New Canaan and Silver Hill Hospital, is funded by an allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, augmented by the Town’s share of an opioid lawsuit settlement.

In a 26-minute podcast by the Y’s Men of Westport-Weston, First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor and Human Services Director Allison Lisbon discuss the program with Dr. Andrew Gerber, a Weston resident, who is President and Medical Director of Silver Hill Hospital, one of the nation’s leading psychiatric facilities.

Background

Ms. Nestor says the program came about from a conversation with her counterpart in New Canaan, First Selectman Kevin Moynihan, about mental health needs in the community.

At the same time, Ms. Lisbon says she had been fielding a number of calls from residents having trouble connecting with mental health services, and reached out to other towns to see how they were approaching the problem. The Urgent Assessment Program was already running in New Canaan and seemed a perfect match.

How it works

Beginning on July 1, appointments can be made (only in advance) by completing an online form on Silver Hill’s website. Or, Silver Hill admissions can be reached by phone any hour of the day at (866) 542-4455 and mentioning the Weston Urgent Assessment Program.

An assessment appointment can be made for oneself or for another. It is not necessary to call Weston Social Services, but if it would be helpful, Ms. Lisbon can be reached at (203) 222-2663.

The program aims to schedule an appointment within 48 hours, a goal Dr. Gerber says has been met consistently with New Canaan residents.

The incidence of anxiety, depression, and other conditions has increased markedly since the onset of the pandemic, according to Dr. Gerber, who says the program exists to “make mental health care available to people before things get worse.”

He says the program is designed to provide a timely assessment, make a “warm handoff” to appropriate services for each individual, and take away the obstacles of time and cost. “In a moment of crisis, that’s what people need.”