Pulaski County Crisis Stabilization Unit Holds Ribbon Cutting

By ChaseYavondaC

The Pulaski County Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit, which will serve Pulaski, Perry, Saline, Lonoke, Jefferson and Grant counties, held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony July 6 at its 3001 W. Roosevelt Road location to recognize the contributors to the center as well as those it will be assisting in the future.

“This is a great example of a community partnership,” said Lisa Evans, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ Department of Psychiatry and the director of the unit. Evans thanked a number of people during a short speech prior to the ribbon cutting, including leaders from UAMS and the Pulaski County and state governments. “It’s so exciting to be a part of this, to nurture this unit and watch it grow as we learn how to better serve this population.”

Governor at podium

Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks about the importance of crisis stabilization units around the state.

Evans also acknowledged the UAMS employees who will staff the unit, expected to begin accepting guests sometime in July. “The doctors, the APNs, the social workers, the ones who are going to do the hard work, they are the heroes today. It’s going to be an exciting trip and I look forward to working with all of you.”

The 16-bed unit, which Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde called “the culmination of what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause, a noble cause,” is the second to open in Arkansas. The Sebastian County Five West Crisis Stabilization Unit opened in February, with additional units in Craighead and Washington counties expected to open later this year.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., joined Tucker, Hyde and Evans at the ceremony.

Evans sees the CSU as a more effective, less costly option to treating those with mental illness who come into contact with law-enforcement officials. Guests will stay at the unit no more than four days, she said, after being commended to the CSU staff by a police officer trained to recognize a person dealing with mental health issues. The goal is to get the guests stabilized, through medications and therapeutic intervention, and get them the help they need to live stable, productive lives, she said.

“We will have nurses here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, able to handle any special needs the guests may have,” Evans said. “We’ll also have psychology interns on board as well as social workers to take care of any problems they may have with housing or legal issues like court dates.”

The unit includes separate shower facilities for male and female guests. The guests must volunteer for treatment, under the criteria outlined by Evans and the UAMS leadership. Only those who are exhibiting signs of mental distress will be admitted to the unit, with possible felons ineligible for treatment.