SECU Members Help Celebrate Opening of SECU Youth Crisis Center in Charlotte

RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 01, 2018 -- Yesterday was an exciting day at the SECU Youth Crisis Center in Charlotte as media and community supporters from Mecklenburg County and surrounding areas gathered for a much-anticipated dedication and Open House event.  The new facility-based mental health crisis center for children and adolescents is the first of its kind in North Carolina, developed in partnership with Monarch, Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, and partnering organizations, including the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation.  During the event, SECU Foundation Board member Michael Clements spoke about SECU members’ $750,000 grant to Monarch, which helped the non-profit reach their dream of opening a crisis center dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of area youth and their families.

SECU Foundation Board Member Michael Clements (third from left) assists in the SECU Youth Crisis Center Ribbon Cutting.

“SECU members are proud to partner with Monarch for the construction of this Crisis Center,” remarked Mr. Clements.  “Monarch’s 60-year history and excellent reputation of helping others has made a tremendous impact in the lives of many individuals and families.  The SECU Youth Crisis Center will further strengthen Monarch’s capacity to treat and support the healthy recovery of young people experiencing mental health crisis symptoms.”

Youth from Mecklenburg and surrounding counties who are in need of inpatient psychiatric assessment and treatment beyond the capacity of emergency departments have typically been sent to Wake, Onslow or New Hanover Counties for services.  The opening of the Crisis Center will enable patients to receive inpatient services and treatment locally, including family involvement in each child’s treatment process.  The 16-bed facility provides separate wings for children ages 6-12 and teens ages 13-17 and has the capacity to serve 600 young patients annually.

“The need for a center of this kind in Mecklenburg has been dire.  This innovative Crisis Center will serve as a diversion point for children and adolescents away from emergency departments and inpatient hospitalization and is a critical addition to the system of care,” said Monarch President and CEO Dr. Peggy Terhune.  “This facility and the collaboration of so many amazing partners is an example of the way a community can work together to provide the necessary care for individuals with very complex needs.  We are extremely grateful to State Employees’ Credit Union members for their support of this project.”

About SECU and the SECU Foundation
A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for over 80 years.  The Credit Union also offers a diversified line of financial advisory services including retirement and education planning, tax preparation, insurance, trust and estate planning services, and investments through its partners and affiliated entities.  SECU serves over 2.25 million members through 263 branch offices, nearly 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Member Services via phone and a website, www.ncsecu.org.  The SECU Foundation, a 501c (3) charitable organization funded solely by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare and human services.  Since 2004, SECU Foundation has made a collective financial commitment of more than $130 million for initiatives to benefit North Carolinians statewide.

Contact:  Jama Dagenhart, Executive Director
Office:  919-839-5562 | [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3d942a91-61ca-423a-87f8-fec3e6a144f9