Tricounty Crisis Stabilization Center (TCSC) is a specialized, voluntary, adult crisis unit that serves individuals from Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. It offers urgent treatment for adults experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms that may require immediate intervention, such as medication adjustments or intensive counseling support. TCSC was established as an alternative to traditional hospital emergency departments or incarceration for those in need of mental health stabilization, providing a crucial option to divert individuals away from unnecessary hospitalizations or encounters with the criminal justice system.
The center is equipped with ten beds and is designed to provide short-term care, with the average length of stay being approximately 3.5 days. During this period, the focus is on stabilizing the immediate symptoms or stressors that prompted the crisis, allowing patients to regain equilibrium before transitioning back to their natural support systems in the community. Patients are encouraged to participate in a comprehensive daily clinical program, which is crafted to promote mental wellness, support recovery, and help individuals understand and manage their symptoms more effectively.
A distinct aspect of Tricounty Crisis Stabilization Center is its voluntary nature. Unlike traditional hospital psychiatric units, TCSC is an unlocked facility, which means that all individuals must be willing to remain at the center and participate actively in its clinical programming. Referrals to TCSC are accepted from a variety of sources including local hospitals, mental health providers, Mobile Crisis teams, and local law enforcement, making it an accessible resource for those in urgent need of mental health stabilization. This collaborative approach ensures that those experiencing a mental health crisis can be routed quickly to the level of care that best fits their needs, with TCSC standing as a pivotal part of the community’s behavioral health response system.