Mental Health Respite Facilities Are Filling Care Gaps in Over a Dozen States
September 22, 2023
Mental health respite facilities may help meet the needs of people who are struggling but do not need immediate medical care. Run by peers who have experienced mental health challenges, the facilities offer short-term stays in homelike, community-based settings. At respites, clients have 24/7 access to peer support and are not required to give up their clothes or other belongings. Currently, there are 42 respite programs operating across 14 states, funded by a mix of local, state, and federal money. These programs are an “evidence-based model of care” that can help reduce hospitalizations and increase engagement with community supports, said SAMHSA Office of Recovery Director Paolo del Vecchio. More research is needed to evaluate their effectiveness, said del Vecchio and other experts.
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