REIDSVILLE NC – One year after opening its doors, the Rockingham Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC), supported by Vaya Health and Daymark Recovery Services, continues to make a significant impact by providing essential mental health and substance use services to the community. Since its launch in April 2024, the center has expanded access to care, collaborated with local agencies, and enhanced crisis response efforts throughout Rockingham County.
In the past year, the Rockingham BHUC has provided critical support to individuals in need, operating seven days a week for 16 hours a day with eight available beds. The pharmacy has provided support and has filled over 800 prescriptions for individuals, further strengthening Rockingham’s behavioral health infrastructure.
“The BHUC has been one of the most positive things that has happened to Rockingham County. The county was suffering before it was in place with an overload of drug cases,” said Rockingham County Commissioner Mark Richardson.
“This facility has lessened the burden on law enforcement and on health and human services,” continued Richardson, who also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Vaya. “The county is looking to expand the veterans court and start a drug court. We need additional resources to provide more comprehensive care to our citizens.”
Key milestones from the past year include:
- Enhanced Crisis Response Training: A 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training was held in Rockingham County, with participation from multiple local law enforcement agencies. This training equipped officers with the skills needed to respond effectively to behavioral health crises.
- Narcan Distribution: Vaya has provided Narcan to multiple agencies in Rockingham County to support opioid overdose prevention efforts. This year, the program will expand to include the Sheriff’s Office, specifically for individuals leaving jail who are part of the Sheriff’s Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) program.
- Crisis Response Collaboration: Regular Crisis Response Collaborative meetings have helped foster coordination among healthcare providers, first responders, and community organizations to ensure individuals in crisis receive timely and appropriate care.
- Behavioral Health Training for Law Enforcement: Vaya works closely with the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office to provide behavioral health training opportunities, including Mental Health First Aid, to further support first responders in addressing mental health needs in the community.
- Peer Living Room and Pharmacy Services: The Peer Living Room remains open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., providing a welcoming space for individuals in need of peer support.
As Rockingham BHUC enters its second year, Vaya looks forward to further enhancing its programs and working with local partners to provide high-quality, compassionate care to individuals and families in need.
For more information about Rockingham BHUC and its services, visit https://www.vayahealth.com/get-help/walk-crisis-centers/
About Vaya Health
Vaya Health is a specialty managed care organization and local government agency that oversees publicly funded health care services across a 32-county region of North Carolina for people with significant behavioral health needs, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries. Vaya manages Medicaid, federal, state, and local funding to meet member and community needs while advancing whole-person health. Together with members, contracted providers, and local partners, we’re moving forward to a healthier North Carolina. Vaya Health can be found online at vayahealth.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/VayaHealth/, on X (formerly known as Twitter) @VayaHealth, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/vaya-health.
