Mobile Crisis Center Saves Community Over $100 Million

The facility, located at 2401 Gordon Smith Drive, functions as a specialized alternative to involuntary commitment and inpatient hospitalization. Patients receive round-the-clock care through a 23-hour stabilization unit or an extended observation program lasting up to seven days. By integrating these services, the center has successfully prevented more than 4,100 psychiatric hospitalizations, 2,768 arrests, and 5,705 emergency department visits since its inception.

Beyond fiscal impact, the center reports significant public health outcomes, including the prevention of nearly 3,000 suicides and over 2,800 overdoses. AltaPointe Health CEO Tuerk Schlesinger emphasized that the model prioritizes dignity and community safety while easing the strain on local first responders. As Alabama’s largest integrated healthcare system, AltaPointe continues to leverage this crisis intervention framework to connect patients with ongoing support services, ensuring long-term stability after the initial stabilization period ends.