A New Strategy for Pediatric Mental Health
Upstate University Hospital has launched a specialized walk-in clinic for children experiencing behavioral health crises. The facility, named the Kimberly and John Mezzalingua Pediatric Behavioral Health After Hours Center, occupies space within the Nappi Wellness Institute in Syracuse, New York. It represents a shift in how the hospital manages non-emergency psychiatric needs for local youth.
Directors Jessica Costosa-Umina and Jennifer Duncan Olson describe the center as a bridge between routine therapy and the emergency department. Children often face weeks or months of waiting for standard mental health appointments. This new clinic provides on-demand access to clinicians. It is the first site in Syracuse dedicated entirely to children in mental health distress, though other local providers serve mixed-age populations.
Closing the Gap Before Emergencies Escalate
Upstate Medical University President Dr. Mantosh Dewan views the center as a preventive measure. He argues that many children end up in the emergency room only after a behavioral incident escalates throughout the day. A child having difficulty at dinner might suffer from suicidal thoughts by bedtime without proper intervention. The center provides a place to address these problems before they require a hospital admission.
This location is not a replacement for the Golisano pediatric emergency room. That facility remains the destination for children requiring urgent physical medical care or those posing an immediate danger to themselves or others. Patients arriving by ambulance or police escort will continue to go to the emergency room, as the new clinic is designed for children who are stable enough to travel by car with a guardian.
Funding and Future Operations
The project was made possible by a $5 million donation from the Mezzalingua family, prominent figures in the Central New York business community. Kimberly Mezzalingua stated that the donation aims to support immediate staffing needs, with a long-term goal of building a world-class resource for the region. The family intends to maintain an active connection with the facility.
The clinic accepts patients between the ages of 5 and 18, including those up to 21 who are still enrolled in public school. Staff includes licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and nurse practitioners. Care is overseen by Dr. James Demer, a pediatric psychiatrist. The clinic offers up to eight weekly therapy sessions to help families transition into long-term mental health programs.
Operating hours currently span Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Plans include adding Sunday hours starting October 4, with Friday and Saturday availability dependent on staffing levels. The hospital intends to evaluate the center's volume as it integrates with existing outreach efforts, such as the hospital's school-based therapy partnerships.