NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) \u2014 A new facility in Nashville is bringing hope to families in crisis.<\/p>\n
Just across from the North Nashville Mental Health Cooperative, community and mental health leaders cut the ribbon on Tuesday on a center designed to save young lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving resources readily available 24\/7 regardless of an individual\u2019s ability to pay to help\u00a0serve and stop that, then changes lives literally changes the life of that child and of that family,\u201d Mental Health Cooperative CEO Michelle Schafer said.<\/p>\n
The new Children and Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit in Nashville is now open to kids ages 4 to 17, becoming the second of its kind in Tennessee.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udce7\u00a0Have breaking news come to you:\u00a0Subscribe to News 2 email alerts<\/a> \u2192<\/p>\n The first children and youth unit is located in Knoxville.<\/p>\n \u201cEven if it is just five minutes, you never know what the thing is that you say or what encounter you have is going to change someone\u2019s life,\u201d registered nurse and the Director of Nursing at Emergency Psych Center Mental Health Cooperative, Diana Jackson, explained.<\/p>\n The need is urgent.<\/p>\n State data<\/a> shows one in six kids ages 6 to 17 experiences a mental health disorder each year. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Tennessee kids between the ages of 10 and 17.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that kids have been struggling and suffering, and they need a really incredible community place to go to get the treatment if they are in crisis from anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation,\u201d Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Use Services Commissioner Marie Williams said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a therapy dog here,\u201d Nashville Mayor Freddie O\u2019Connell explained. \u201cThe Nashville Public Library has provided books. It is really just a safe place to get back on your feet as a young person who is going through one of the toughest times of life.\u201d<\/p>\n Inside are 15 beds and two observation beds for high risk patients.<\/p>\n Each space is designed with both security and serenity in mind.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a state-of-the-art door system with monitoring that will alert to changes to any of the doors,\u201d Jackson described. \u201cThey are anti-barricade doors. We have safety features in all of our bathrooms and showers. The doors are designed to keep the rooms safe. It is also a calming environment.\u201d<\/p>\n Most stays last one to three days, giving care teams the chance to stabilize, connect and guide families toward continued support.<\/p>\n