News Summary
Colonial Behavioral Health and the Commonwealth of Virginia have begun construction on a new Center for Support & Wellness in Williamsburg. Governor Glenn Youngkin attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the $12.5 million facility, which aims to improve access to urgent behavioral health care. The center will serve as a critical resource for crisis response in the area and is expected to open in September 2026, addressing the pressing need for expanded mental health services in the community.
Williamsburg – Colonial Behavioral Health, in conjunction with the Commonwealth of Virginia, has officially commenced construction on a new Center for Support & Wellness. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Governor Glenn Youngkin, was held on Wednesday morning, marking a significant investment in the region’s behavioral health infrastructure, funded at $12.5 million.
The facility, fully financed through the Youngkin administration’s “Right Help, Right Now” initiative, aims to enhance access to urgent and compassionate behavioral health care. This initiative is designed to strengthen Virginia’s overall behavioral health system, with an emphasis on timely interventions for individuals facing crises.
Governor Youngkin highlighted the necessity of providing immediate and appropriate care for those in distress. The new Center for Support & Wellness is projected to serve as a pivotal resource for crisis response in the Williamsburg area.
Facility Features and Services
The Center for Support & Wellness is set to house several critical components designed to cater to the needs of individuals experiencing mental health and substance use crises. These components include:
- Crisis Intervention Team Assessment Center
- Crisis Receiving Center
- Crisis Stabilization Center
Once completed, the facility will be the sole establishment of its kind in the area between Glen Allen and Hampton, providing essential mental health services to Williamsburg, James City County, York County, and Poquoson residents.
Anticipated Opening and Community Impact
The center is expected to open its doors in September 2026. According to reports, Colonial Behavioral Health provided assistance to over 3,500 community members last year, indicating a pressing need for expanded healthcare services in the region. Ryan Ashe, who serves as the Colonial Behavioral Health Board Chair and the James City County Fire Chief, noted that the facility will play a vital role in responding to crises within the local community.
David Coe, the Executive Director of Colonial Behavioral Health, emphasized the personal significance of the center for individuals affected by serious mental illness, highlighting the anticipated positive impact on local mental health care access and quality.
System Improvements and Goals
Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. Kelly mentioned that widening the continuum of care in the behavioral health landscape results in quicker access to necessary support and recovery options. Governor Youngkin’s administration has also worked to bolster behavioral health resources, which includes initiatives such as increasing calls to the suicide hotline (988) and enhancing the availability of mobile crisis teams that operate around the clock.
One of the center’s key objectives will be to diminish the reliance on emergency room visits for individuals facing mental health or substance use challenges. By offering a more direct path to treatment, the facility aims to foster a more proactive, person-centered, and recovery-focused mental health care system in Virginia.
In summary, the groundbreaking of the Center for Support & Wellness signifies a major step towards improving mental health care in the Williamsburg area. The comprehensive services planned for this facility reflect a commitment to meeting the urgent needs of those encountering behavioral health crises and reinforcing the state’s dedication to enhancing public health infrastructure.
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Additional Resources
- Wydaily: Groundbreaking for New Williamsburg Behavioral Health Facility
- 13 News Now: Williamsburg Health Crisis Center Breaks Ground
- HIPAA Journal: Colonial Behavioral Health and Cybersecurity
- PR Newswire: Well Behavioral Health Expands Access to Mental Health Care
- Wikipedia: Mental Health
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mental Health
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
