Hampton and Newport News officials say a new mental health center will improve access to services and ease the burden on law enforcement and hospitals.
Elected and mental health officials on Friday cut the ribbon for the new B.J. Roberts Behavioral Health Center in Hampton. It’s named after the city’s first Black sheriff, who had long supported growing mental health care access.
The “center will stand for years to come as a beacon of hope and a refuge for healing, recovery and community connection for all who enter its doors,” said Daphne Cunningham, Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board executive director.
Hampton Mayor Jimmy Gray called the center a “game changer” for the region.
“It will serve those experiencing mental health crises in an environment specifically designed for healing, comfort and stability,” he said.
When fully operational, the center can serve 39 people at a time. That includes beds for 16 patients needing assessment and care for up to 14 days, space for 16 to receive care for up to 23 hours and room for seven more people brought to the center by police.
The space is intended to create alternatives for people experiencing mental health crises to get help outside of emergency rooms or jails. It will be staffed by professionals from various disciplines, making it easier for people to get a broad variety of care.
Ryan Dudley, deputy executive director of the community services board, said existing crisis stabilization services will be moved to the center, which can currently serve 11 people. The center is still waiting to receive its license for its expanded services. Officials did not have a timeline for when the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services would complete its review.
Nationally, jails are often communities’ largest mental health care providers. Hampton Sheriff Karen Bowden said she expects the new space will reduce wait times for people in custody experiencing crises to get help.
“Even though the deputies receive crisis intervention training, they don't go into that in-depth assessment as to determining what their true needs are and how to handle those needs immediately,” Bowden said.
Many people struggling with mental health conditions and substance use disorders also end up in emergency rooms because of shortages of beds in psychiatric treatment facilities.
“Really pleased that we are finally putting our money right where our mouth is,” said Newport News City Councilmember Rob Coleman. “We have been talking about this for a long time and it’s here today.”
Roberts, the center’s namesake, died in 2020 after 28 years as sheriff – the longest to serve in the position in Virginia. He also spent several years on the board of the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board and left a sizable donation to the organization after his death.
Bowden worked with him for his tenure as sheriff and described him as a larger-than-life “trailblazer” of a man with a passion for helping the voiceless. His brother, Earnest, said touring the center almost brought him to tears.
Board Chair and Hampton Vice Mayor Steve Brown’s family was close to Roberts, and said the former sheriff’s advocacy and influence were instrumental in broadening the organization’s work.
“B.J., I know you’re watching us down here today,” Brown said during his remarks before the ribbon cutting. “Today is your day.”
