Portage Path Behavioral Health

Specialties

Portage Path Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) is the ²⁴⁄₇ component of Portage Path Behavioral Health, dedicated to evaluating and managing psychiatric crisis. PES does not treat physical health issues. There are two components to PES — Emergency Evaluation and the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU). Emergency Evaluation is where adults who are experiencing a psychiatric crisis can be assessed by an experienced team of doctors, nurses, and technicians. After the evaluation, a referral is made to inpatient, outpatient, the CSU or other type of care. The CSU is a 16-​bed unit which exists to manage, treat, and stabilize a psychiatric crisis, and then make a referral to a less-​restrictive environment.

History

Established in 1971.

Conceived in 1968 as one of three local community mental health centers (CMHC’s) created from the Community Mental Health Act, Portage Path Community Mental Health Center opened its doors in 1971, providing outpatient mental health services to Summit County residents from the southern part of the county. In 1988, the other two CMHC’s were merged into Portage Path, and special facilities were created to handle emergencies and severe mental health issues. In 1992, Portage Path acquired Psychiatric Emergency Services, becoming the «front door» for adult mental health services, and in 1994 changed its name to Portage Path Behavioral Health.