PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY SCREENING SERVICES PROGRAM (PESS)

Crisis Hotline: (908) 526-4100 (Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Emergency Care Center
Somerset Medical Center
110 Rehill Avenue
Somerville, NJ 08876

The Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services program (PESS) provides crisis intervention services for residents, including screening for voluntary and involuntary hospitalization, mobile outreach, linkage to appropriate community resources, information and referrals. Counseling, emergency psychiatric evaluations and consultation services also are available.

The hotline (908-526-4100), answered by Crisis Intervention Specialists or Certified Screeners, is used to de-escalate a crisis situation that demands immediate intervention.

The goal is to relieve a patient’s distress and prevent psychiatric hospitalization through the use of clinical assessment, crisis intervention counseling, and the formulation of alternative treatment plans.

If the nature of the call indicates that a face-to-face session with a Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services clinician is appropriate, arrangements will be made for the caller to visit PESS or a mobile outreach team at an alternate location.

Single Point of Entry
Access to the program is through the Emergency Care Center, located at Somerset Medical Center, where individuals will be seen by a triage nurse and medically cleared by the ECC physician before being evaluated by a PESS clinician.

This single point of entry establishes a coordinated system of care for screening, treatment and aftercare of patients with acute mental health problems. It also maintains a system of care that is in compliance with Federal, State and local laws.

Individuals may come to PESS on their own and without an appointment. Referrals are provided by relatives, mental health or social services agencies, nursing facilities and police/court/jail personnel.

PESS screeners advocate for services to meet patient needs and encourage the system to respond quickly. Clinicians utilize the patient’s natural support system and offer treatment in the least restrictive setting, as close to the individual’s home as possible.

Mobile Outreach
Mobile outreach is provided to individuals that are unwilling or unable to come to the screening center, persons who need involuntary commitment, and those who may be mentally ill or potentially dangerous.

Whenever possible, mobile outreach is expanded to include other crisis and emergency situations. Linkage to community resources includes appropriate mental health programs and social service agencies.

The Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services program also coordinates access to the publicly affiliated acute care psychiatric resources serving Somerset County residents.
 

Division of Human Services
Third Floor
27 Warren Street, Somerville NJ 08876
Phone: (908) 704-6300
FAX: (908) 704-1629
Email: humanservices@co.somerset.nj.us