Celebrating 5 Years of Impact: How Golisano Behavioral Health Center is Revolutionizing Youth Mental Health Care

Rochester, N.Y. — Five years after it opened, the Golisano Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness Center is planning to expand. The need for youth mental health services is ever-increasing.

Robert Baleno shared that his son, Morrigan, faced serious challenges at a young age. “Morrigan was just 7 when he first thought about taking his own life in second grade,” Baleno revealed. Today, Morrigan, now 16, is doing much better, thanks to the support he received from the Golisano Center. “Without this place, I truly believe Morrigan might not be here today,” his father said.

Morrigan has undergone various inpatient and outpatient treatments. “At the center, I met so many amazing people,” he said. “For the first time, I got close to others.”

During a recent gathering at the center, Baleno’s family shared their journey as leaders celebrated five years of service. Dr. Michael Sharf, psychiatrist in chief, noted that when the center opened in 2020 amidst the pandemic, it helped lower the number of children going to emergency rooms for psychiatric issues, even as those numbers rose across the country.

The center receives over 100 new referrals each week, prompting discussions about future expansions. According to Dr. Sharf, the pandemic has significantly impacted children’s mental health. “They faced immense stress from losing activities and disrupted relationships,” he explained.

Dr. Linda Alpert-Gillis, ambulatory chief for Child Psychiatry, remarked that families overwhelmingly prefer in-person visits for treatment. “Almost every family wants to come in person, except those who live far away,” she noted.

Morrigan hopes other struggling children find the same support he did. “Coming here felt like a breath of fresh air. Everyone understood me,” he shared.

In response to the rising demand, URMC recently opened the region’s first walk-in mental health urgent care center for kids. They also provide a crisis call line available 24/7 at (585) 275-8686.

For those in need, the National Crisis Hotline is reachable at 988.

Expanding mental health resources is essential, especially considering that a survey by the National Institute of Mental Health shows that one in five youth ages 13-18 experience a severe mental disorder. Creating safe spaces like Golisano is vital for nurturing young minds and fostering resilience in the community.



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Youth mental health,Golisano Behavioral Health Center,Expansion,Inpatient,Outpatient,Psychiatric problems,Pandemic effects,Mental health services