Santa Fe, NM — McKinley County residents will have a new place to go for respite during a mental health or substance use crisis. Santa Fe Recovery Center announced today that it will begin accepting patients on <> at the new Four Corners Crisis Center, next door to its Four Corners Detox Recovery Center on 2105 Hasler Valley Road. The project is funded through a grant from New Mexico Human Services Department, Behavioral Health Services Division in order to increase and sustain behavioral health service access for Native Americans living in Tribal Communities in New Mexico. 

The crisis center, which will provide voluntary, immediate care for a multitude of crisis situations ranging from acute anxiety to substance use concerns to severe mental illness symptoms, will also provide linkage to other services before discharge to address housing needs, social services or substance use treatment, for example. It will be only the third crisis center in the state. 

“We always talk about the importance of having services available at the time people truly need them,” said Santa Fe Recovery Center CEO Stacy Martin. “The Crisis Center makes immediate intervention possible allowing us to de-escalate critical situations and guide patients toward long-term solutions and support.” 

The center will also offer an alternative location for those in crisis who might previously have be taken to the emergency room or even jail. 

“Repeated use of emergency services is not only expensive but strains an already overburdened system. And, jail is not the best environment for those experiencing significant behavioral health issues. We will work closely with local law enforcement, EMS personnel, clinics and hospitals to ensure a seamless transition for those who need specialized behavioral healthcare,” said Martin. “Accepting warm handoffs from these local partners will enhance overall public safety and support better outcomes.” 

Opening a 24/7 crisis center, which will eventually expand to include a mobile crisis unit, is one of the nine core services required to be delivered by a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). Santa Fe Recovery Center will be officially launching services as a CCBHC in both Gallup and Santa Fe in early 2025. “The Four Corners Crisis Center is one of the first significant steps towards officially operating as a CCBHC in McKinley County,” said Martin. “Through it and our future plans as a CCBHC, we can help bridg