Rochester crisis center makes impact on community mental health

(ABC 6 News) – The Southeast Minnesota Regional Crisis Center has been serving the area for just over a year now and they just released some staggering numbers detailing their impact.

Since SERCC opened July 28, 2021, the center served over 800 people in its first year. The facility holds 16 beds and offers outpatient help.

The walk-in mental health facility is designed specifically for people experiencing a mental health crisis. SERCC is open 24 hours a day, every day, to people of all ages in the 10-county region, regardless of financial situation or insurance status.

Senator Dave Senjem has played a big role in getting money for the center. He says the issue hits close to home.

"Dad committed suicide, that was really hard for a young boy growing up to have that happen. Everybody had a story. Every legislator had, they all had a story, they all had something that they hadn’t talked about. The really good thing is at the legislative level, we’re able to talk about mental health, mental illness right now in ways that I don’t think three years ago we could," Senator David Senjem said.

In the last year, the crisis center says they’ve served mostly adults under age 30 struggling with anxiety and depression.

More info about the SERCC can be found HERE.