Now Open: Memphis's First Children & Youth Crisis Stabilization Center
- Alliance Healthcare Services
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
The Children & Youth Crisis Wellness Center is open to families across the Memphis area. Here is what every parent should know about getting help.
When your child is in a mental health crisis, every hour matters. Until now, Memphis families often had nowhere built for them to go.
That changed on June 1, 2026. The Children & Youth Crisis Wellness Center is now fully open to the community. It is the first crisis stabilization center in West Tennessee built specifically for young people.
"For too long, parents in this community have driven to emergency rooms not built for pediatric mental health, or watched their child wait days for a bed that may not exist. That ends here. The Children & Youth Crisis Wellness Center is for Memphis, by Memphis." — Laurie Powell, CEO, Alliance Healthcare Services
If your family needs help right now, here is exactly what to know.
Is the Children & Youth Crisis Wellness Center open now?
Yes. The Center opened to the full community on June 1, 2026.
It first welcomed referral partners on May 18 and is now open to any family in the Memphis area.
Who is the Center for?
The Center serves young people ages 4 through 17 who are going through a behavioral or mental health crisis.
Care is grouped by age, so a kindergartner and a high school junior each get an environment that fits them.
Where is it located?
The Center is at 602 Malcomb Street, Memphis, TN 38112.
How does my child get in? Do I need a referral?
You do not need a referral. Families can come through any door.
"Come through any door. Whether a family is referred by a hospital, brought in by a first responder, sent by a school counselor, or walks up to our front desk. We will not turn a child away because of insurance or ability to pay. That promise is the entire reason this place exists." — Dr. Kiersten Hawes, Director, Children & Youth Crisis Wellness Center
A child can arrive by referral from a hospital, a school counselor, or a first responder, or a family can simply walk in.
Is the Center open 24/7?
Yes. The Center is staffed and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays.
What will it cost? What insurance do you take?
At launch, the Center accepts BlueCare/TennCare Select, United HealthCare TennCare, & WellPoint TennCare. No child will be turned away regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
If you are unsure about coverage, call (901) 369-1410 and the team will help you.
What happens when we arrive?
Every child receives a crisis assessment as soon as they are admitted.
This is a caring conversation with trained staff about how your child is feeling and what they need. It guides the care plan from the first moments.
How long will my child stay?
Most children stay an average of 3 to 5 days.
The goal is short-term stabilization: helping your child feel safe and steady, then connecting your family with the next step in care.
What kind of care will my child receive?
Care is built on the MATCH model, a proven, trauma-informed therapy approach designed for children and teens.
Children also take part in supportive activities throughout the day, including:
Individual, group, and family therapy
Play-based therapy using sand trays
Mindfulness and calming exercises
Expressive arts such as yoga, movement, and art
Quiet time, recreation, meals, and rest
Is my child safe there?
Safety is the foundation of the Center. It offers:
24/7 staffing with trained crisis professionals
A 1-to-5 staff-to-child ratio
At least one registered nurse on every shift
Age-grouped units so children are with peers their own age
Will I be involved in my child's care?
Yes. Families are part of the care. The team keeps you involved and includes family communication and therapy as part of your child's stabilization.
Here is why this resource matters so much for Memphis.
Why does Memphis need this?
For years, children in a mental health crisis often waited in emergency rooms not designed for them, sometimes for days, while families searched for an open bed.
The Center gives Memphis a dedicated place built for young people. To understand the gap it fills, read our look at how long kids wait for crisis care in Memphis.
How was the Center funded?
The Center was funded through a mix of public and private support, including state, local, foundation, and individual partners.
The total project cost was about $11 million, fully funded with no debt.
How to reach the Children & Youth Crisis Wellness Center
If your child is in crisis, you do not have to face it alone.
Call (901) 369-1410 for questions or to get started
Walk in any time at 602 Malcomb Street, Memphis, TN 38112
Learn more about children and youth crisis services at Alliance
For more on recognizing a crisis and what to do, see our guide for Memphis parents when a child is in crisis.
If you or someone you care about is in crisis, help is available now.
24-Hour Crisis Line: (901) 577-9400
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988