http://goo.gl/W0hEJ6
Parachute NYC, a federally funded project more than two years in the making, has created respite centers where guests can check in and talk through their concerns and fears with staff members who have their own experiences with the mental health system.
The centers are a "soft landing," community-based alternative to emergency hospitalization, according to Steve Coe, CEO of Community Access, the organization that runs Parachute NYC.
"There are a lot of people stuck in hospitals who really don't need to be there," he told CNN. "Our centers give them temporary relief from whatever they may be going through."
The facilities, which opened in 2013, are located in four boroughs and have apartment-style common rooms and bedrooms. The idea is to create a free, comfortable and supportive space for adults anticipating or experiencing emotional crisis.