BayCare Opens Florida's First Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla., Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BayCare, West Central Florida's leader in behavioral health services, celebrated the opening of its behavioral health urgent care center, the first of its kind in Florida. The new outpatient facility, which offers walk-in and same-day appointments for Pasco-area adults in urgent need of mental health and substance use services, began treating patients earlier this month. 

Made possible by a $3.6 million grant from the Pasco County Commission, the new center is part of BayCare's extended behavioral health campus located at 8005 King Helie Boulevard in New Port Richey, Florida.

"When we evaluated how we could better deliver mental health services to the community, we recognized that there was a piece of the puzzle missing," said BayCare Director of Clinical Operations Tracey Kaly. "Often, people do not seek help until they are in crisis and feel their only options are to call law enforcement or visit the ER. This center is a bridge—a safe space where people in urgent need of mental health or addiction care, can be seen in a timely manner by a trained professional who can evaluate their needs and connect them with ongoing services in their area, hopefully mitigating the need for hospitalization."

Visitors to the new BayCare Behavioral Health Urgent Care are welcomed into a calming environment where they undergo a screening and clinical evaluation to determine which short-term interventions are needed. Patients may also work with recovery support specialists whose personal lived experiences offer hope and guidance during times of struggle.

Support from the Pasco County Commission, which awarded BayCare the largest portion of the county's opioid settlement funds, was essential to bringing the project to fruition. Commissioners Jack Mariano, Kathyrn Starkey and Lisa Yaeger joined BayCare leadership for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 26.

"It means so much for our Pasco County residents to have a place to seek help for their mental health needs," said Commissioner Mariano. "With BayCare's experience, people will get the help they need, and it will save lives. It's a benefit to the taxpayers as well because it will keep people out of jail which will save our taxpayers money." 

So far, the BayCare Behavioral Health Urgent Care center is accomplishing its goal. Since opening its doors to the public three weeks ago, every patient who has visited the center has received comprehensive care that includes a safety plan and timely follow-up appointments for ongoing care, therefore avoiding hospitalization for their mental health and/or addiction issues. 

The new BayCare Behavioral Health Urgent Care center is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Same day appointments can be made by calling (727) 281-3350.

For more information: BayCare Behavioral Health Services

About BayCare

BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 16 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. The system is West Central Florida's largest provider of behavioral health and pediatric services and its provider group, BayCare Medical Group, is one of the largest in the region. BayCare's diverse network of ambulatory services includes laboratories, imaging, surgical centers, BayCare Urgent Care locations, wellness centers and one of Florida's largest home care agencies, BayCare HomeCare. BayCare's mission is to improve the health of all it serves through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit BayCare.org.

SOURCE BayCare Health System