Mental and behavioral health has consistently been identified as one of the top needs in Centra Health’s Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs). In two of the three 2024 assessment results, "mental health problems" ranked as the leading health condition affecting the well-being of our community. These findings underscore the growing demand for accessible and timely mental health services across central and southwest Virginia.
Centra has worked diligently year over year to develop programs that address these critical needs. One result of this effort is the recently opened Piedmont Psychiatric Adult Urgent Care (PPAUC). This new clinic is a forward step in addressing the social determinants and inequities impacting mental health by providing urgent access to behavioral health services.
“PPAUC is a specialty urgent care center for adults aged 18 and older experiencing mental health concerns,” explained Amanda Creasy, Director of Practice Operations, CMG Piedmont Psychiatric Center. “The program offers resources for mood disorders, distressing thoughts, psychosis and uncontrolled behaviors.”
At PPAUC, patients meet with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) during their appointment to assess their immediate needs, address acute symptoms and coordinate follow-up care. This often includes scheduling future psychiatric appointments or connecting patients with higher levels of care when necessary.
In addition to meeting an urgent need for accessible mental health services, PPAUC plays a critical role in reducing the traffic to Centra’s emergency departments. By offering services that were previously only available in emergency department settings, PPAUC ensures patients receive specialized psychiatric care in an urgent manner and a safe environment.
“This innovative service fills a gap between outpatient psychiatric care and emergency psychiatric care in our community," shared Ismael Gama, Centra's Vice President of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health. "Patients who need a simple psychiatric medication change will no longer need to walk into the emergency department or wait for their next psychiatrist appointment."
Since opening to the public this past November, PPAUC has created solid momentum as it has begun to treat patients and become an established part of the mental health resources available to Lynchburg and surrounding areas.
“We have not had a day where we have reached full capacity yet, but the number of completed appointments continues to rise,” Creasy said. “Many people are finding out about the new service by word of mouth.”
Creasy relayed the story of a patient new to the area who was able to get a prescription filled through the PPAUC while she waited for their first appointment with their new provider. The patient was able to be seen by the urgent care the same day they had called about their need.
“It’s been wonderful hearing the stories of how the new service has been so helpful and such a blessing to several patients in our community,” Creasy said. “We are looking to continued success.”
As the PPAUC continues to grow, it represents an essential resource for patients and a significant step toward addressing the mental health crisis in our community.
