Northern Nevada HOPES has opened a Behavioral Health Clinic in Reno designed to increase access to mental health care through a low-barrier walk-in model. Located at 1905 E. 4th Street next to the CARES Campus, the clinic features an Access Clinic where individuals can receive immediate behavioral health screenings without requiring a referral from a primary care provider. “This changes the way things were run in the past,” said Kyle Sunderland, LCSW, Director of Behavioral Health at Northern Nevada HOPES. “Usually, you have to go through primary care. By doing this, we are creating a low-barrier access point for people to receive services.”
The Access Clinic allows anyone seeking help to walk in, receive screening by a behavioral health specialist, and get connected with appropriate services through either same-day walk-in appointments or scheduled future visits. Sunderland explained the model’s flexibility: “You can come in off the streets, get an appointment or a walk-in appointment if available, and be established as a patient. We will then be able to get them help to heal, and then get them into primary care.” However, Sunderland emphasized the clinic is not a crisis facility, noting they can handle distressed emotions but would refer individuals experiencing crises to hospitals or emergency services.
The clinic offers a comprehensive range of services, including brief and ongoing psychotherapy, play therapy for children, intensive outpatient therapy, group therapy, medication-assisted treatment for substance use, and psychiatric care. To expand psychiatric care availability, HOPES has launched a new residency program in partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine, embedding psychiatry residents in the clinic to provide integrated care and develop future mental health professionals.
The clinic accepts Medicaid and other insurance plans, and offers a sliding fee scale for those who are underinsured or uninsured. Sunderland described this access model as unique in the area: “I don’t know of any access points like this clinic. We are optimizing the programs we have with all the programs that are available. It is like no other.” For 24/7 mental health support, individuals can contact Crisis Support Services by calling or texting 988.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.2news.com/news/local/hopes-opens-behavioral-health-clinic-to-expand-mental-health-care-access-in-northern-nevada/article_7da062e5-32d7-4801-8869-6ce1edeac7d5.html