Renown Crisis Care Center Marks One Year of Impact Providing Crisis and Behavioral Health Services

The Renown Crisis Care Center is marking one year of providing short-term behavioral health crisis intervention and stabilization for people experiencing mental health emergencies, while serving as a resource for healthcare professionals and first responders.

Access to timely behavioral health services remains an urgent need across Nevada. Since opening Nov. 11, 2025, Renown Crisis Care Center has served an average of 12-14 patients each day, for an average of nearly 5,000 patients in its first year. Over half of patients avoided hospitalization, demonstrating the role crisis stabilization services can play in connecting people with appropriate care.

“As the largest not-for-profit health system in northern Nevada, Renown is committed to investing in the health of our community by identifying gaps in care and building the services needed to address them. Mental health is one of those areas, and it was once again identified as a need in Renown’s 2027-2029 Community Health Needs Assessment,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, Renown Health President and CEO. “When someone is experiencing a mental health emergency, they need a safe place to turn and a team ready to care for them. This investment helps ensure more people can get the right care at the right time, while strengthening behavioral health services for families across northern Nevada.”

Meeting a Critical Need

For individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis who do not need emergency medical treatment, the Renown Crisis Care Center offers a calm, supportive alternative to the emergency room. Individuals have a dedicated space to receive support, stabilize and connect with the behavioral health resources that best meet their needs. This community-based approach helps people receive appropriate care earlier, before a crisis escalates into an emergency.

"When someone is experiencing a mental health emergency, they deserve responsive, compassionate support in a place where they feel safe and valued. That support does not always need to happen in an emergency department," said Bret Frey, MD, Medical Director at the Crisis Care Center and Board-Certified Emergency Physician. "The Renown Crisis Care Center is a dedicated environment, with specialized healthcare professionals who can focus on understanding each person's needs, providing stabilization and connecting them with the right level of ongoing support. With more than half of patients avoiding hospitalization, we're seeing the kind of difference this care can make."

Establishing Support for Healthcare Professionals and First Responders

In addition to supporting community members, Renown Crisis Care Center, in collaboration with the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, established Code Phoenix, a protected pathway for short-term mental health stabilization for healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel and firefighters. Delivered in a supportive environment built for the unique realities of their work, Code Phoenix has supported 81 healthcare professionals and first responders from Winnemucca, Las Vegas, Carson, Fallon, Susanville and Fernley area since opening.

"Healthcare professionals and first responders are trusted to step into people's lives during their most challenging moments. Because of this important work, they carry experiences that can be emotionally difficult and complex to process, said Jimmy Lao, Senior Director of Nursing, Emergency Services and Crisis Care Center. "Code Phoenix aims to provide individuals in high-stress professions with timely behavioral healthcare without fear of judgment, in a private and supportive environment, designed to remove barriers to seeking help."

Services and Admission

The Crisis Care Center serves individuals 18 years and older who are referred by themselves, their loved ones, local community providers or transported by law enforcement or other first responders. Services include:

• Comprehensive assessments by a multidisciplinary team, including registered nurses, licensed clinical social workers, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners;
• 24/7 access to same-day crisis observation and stabilization services to alleviate immediate distress;
• Connections to community resources through robust partnerships, such as inpatient psychiatric or detox programs, outpatient therapy and primary care;
• 1:1 support from Certified Peer Support Specialists with lived experience;
  Individualized care coordination to ensure a smooth transition to ongoing services;
• We care for all people with or without insurance;
• Financial assistance is available for those who qualify;
• Transport to an emergency room, if advanced medical care is needed.
  

The Crisis Care Center is not an emergency room. For 24/7 mental health support, call 988. For medical emergencies, call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency department.

For more information, visit the Renown Crisis Care Center.

About Renown Health

As the state's first and only not-for-profit academic health system, Renown Health is dedicated to transforming lives, strengthening communities, and providing care for all people across Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Together with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Renown Health improves health and lives through exceptional care, comprehensive education and training, and innovative research to ensure a healthier future for Nevada. Learn more at renown.org/together.