Connecticut’s urgent crisis centers have helped more than 3,100 children and teens in mental health crisis since opening, giving families an alternative to hospital emergency rooms
State data show the vast majority of youth served this past fiscal year improved and were discharged safely home, while the state’s 211 and 988 hotlines fielded tens of thousands of calls
State officials and Senate Democrats are working to raise awareness of the centers and hotlines as Connecticut continues expanding behavioral health access for children
In the five years since Connecticut first opened urgent crisis centers, designed to help youth experiencing serious mental health issues in addressing and improving their situations, they have now helped more than 3,000 children and teens in crisis.
Statistics show the state’s urgent crisis centers – three in Hartford, New London and Waterbury first opened in 2022, with others in Stamford and New Haven, among others, opening more recently, have helped more than 3,100 youth, with those statistics only covering the state-run centers, the Connecticut Post reported.
In the 2025-26 fiscal year, the three state-run centers served 711 children, according to Susan Hamilton, commissioner of the state Department of Children and Families. About 92.4% of those children showed improvement in their condition from intake to discharge, and 97.7% were discharged back home, Hamilton said.
The state’s two crisis hotlines, 211 and 988, also saw heavy use, Hamilton said, fielding 28,457 calls for youth mobile crisis and nearly 55,000 calls to the 988 network in fiscal year 2026, a combined total approaching 83,500.
Crisis centers are meant to divert youth in need or in crisis from emergency rooms and hospitals, where they may wait hours before care. The centers are designed around mental health support and help children experiencing thoughts or behavior including suicidal ideation, desire to harm themselves or out-of-control activity, with staff trained to help both the youth at risk and their families.
On the back of these centers’ success, state leaders are working to raise awareness, the Connecticut Mirror reported. The Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee, co-chaired by State Senator Ceci Maher, recently launched a marketing campaign to make sure word spreads around the state.
In 2025, Senate Democrats also helped lead the passage of legislation expanding access to behavioral and mental health care, addressing gaps in services as demand continues to rise statewide.
As more resources become available for youth in need, the results are speaking for themselves. In May, the United Way announced suicide rates among state youth fell by nearly 20% since the 988 hotline was introduced.
