BHN leadership was pleased to share with elected and public officials, our community partners, and funders the outcome of six months of intensive effort from BHN staff, culminating in the opening of BHN WellBeing, our Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHC) on January 1st in Springfield and Westfield, MA. We are grateful for the skill and committed service of our staff and program leadership, who are at the core of this promising new program and make this work possible.

At the Springfield Ribbon Cutting event, which took place at 417 Liberty Street, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; Springfield Health and Human Services (HHS) Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris; State Senator Jacob Oliveira; State Representatives Orlando Ramos, Carlos Gonzalez, Brian Ashe, and Bud Williams; Armando Olivares, Aide to Senator Adam Gomez; and BHN President and CEO Steve Winn each offered remarks during the program. Bruce Adams, Aide to Representative Puppolo, was also in attendance, along with state health officials, BHN staff and members of the community. Representative Gonzalez presented a citation from the State House of Representatives to mark the occasion.

At the Westfield event, the program included Westfield Mayor Michael McCabe, State Representative Kelly Pease, and Kevin Chambers, Aide to State Senator John Velis, who offered a citation from the Massachusetts Senate to mark the occasion. Westfield City Councilor William Onyski was also in attendance.

BHN WellBeing and the CBHC model are designed to serve as an entry point for timely, high-quality mental health and SUD treatment. The main goal is to expand access, including same-day access to assessments, urgent stabilization, medication management, evidenced-based psychotherapy, and crisis services. Other offerings include connection with peer specialists, help to navigate support services including insurance, housing and food, and skill-building workshops.

BHN WellBeing has two locations: 417 Liberty Street in Springfield and 77 Mill St. in Westfield campus which serve 17 cities and towns in the region via in person, community-based and telehealth services.

The hours for walk-in care at both locations are Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm; and Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm. Those seeking care can also call (413) 301-9355-9355-WELL (413-301-9355) to be connected to services, or visit bhninc.org/wellbeing for more information.