A mental health services provider has opened a licensed 24-hour crisis receiving center to help those in need catch their breath, get immediate support and strategize on what to do next.
Life’s Journey, which also provides substance abuse treatment and individual, group and family counseling, recently opened the center within its office at 1003 Norfolk Square in the Ingleside area.
Founded by Benicia Hernandez in 2016, Life’s Journey continues to expand its services at a time when a growing number of individuals are seeking help.
“The need is growing and growing and growing,” Shante Williams, Life’s Journey’s chief operating officer and clinical director said. “I think every week we’ve had more patients than the previous week.”
Originally located on Eltham Avenue, Life’s Journey relocated in the summer of 2024 to a 15,664-square-foot building once occupied by the radio station 103 JAMZ. Half of the building’s footprint is used by support staff and now the crisis center operates within the other half. It consists of recliner chairs, a kitchen, showers, on-site laundry facilities and a nursing station.
The center came to fruition after Virginia Medicaid changed its focus to make sure that individuals in need of mental health intervention are able to receive treatment in the least invasive manner and in the least restrictive setting, Williams said.
“Our agency has been working with the population of individuals who suffer from severe mental illness for over nine years,” she said. “And we have found that there’s a lot of reticence to get the help that they need because there is a lot of fear around being hospitalized for psychiatric needs.”
The crisis receiving center — operating 24 hours, 7 days a week — allows individuals experiencing psychiatric crises to come and be seen almost immediately, Williams said. “We don’t have the same type of wait times as hospitals,” she said.
When patients come in, they will be seen quickly by nursing staff, mental health professionals and a psychiatric provider, Williams said. “From the time they walk in the door, they will be in an environment of support, wellness and de-escalation,” she said.
Patients go through an assessment and remain monitored in the safe environment. They can stay up to 23 hours for observation, assessment and immediate intervention. This long window helps avoid unnecessary hospitalization.
“Our case managers can give them referrals for care and resources so that they have some next steps for what they can do once they leave our premises,” she said.
The center has the capacity to service up to 32 clients, ages 18 and older.
Jimmie Outlaw has been a client of Life’s Journey for the past year and praises the ongoing support that he has received to help get his life back on course.
“Life’s Journey has allowed me to realign with myself and gain life skills that I can take and pass on to my children,” Outlaw said. “It’s been a glorious road.”