Portage Path Behavioral Health - Psychiatric Emergency Services

24/7 Psychiatric Emergency Care

Portage Path Behavioral Health’s Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) offers immediate, around-the-clock assessment and stabilization for mental health and substance-related crises. Located within Akron’s ADM Crisis Center, PES is also the local responder for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, ensuring that individuals in Summit and Lake counties can access help day or night in a safe, confidential environment.

Coordinated Care From Crisis to Stability

Each person who arrives at PES is evaluated by a registered nurse, an emergency clinician, and a psychiatrist. This multidisciplinary team provides crisis intervention, medication management when needed, and referrals tailored to each situation. Clients may transition to outpatient programs, a short-term crisis stabilization setting, inpatient care, or community providers, ensuring continuity of support beyond the emergency phase.

Dual-Diagnosis and Medication-Supported Treatment

PES provides care for people experiencing both mental health and substance use challenges. Evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, and trauma-informed counseling are combined with medications for addiction treatment, including buprenorphine and naltrexone when clinically indicated. Clients also have access to screening, testing, and tobacco cessation resources, supporting a comprehensive approach to stabilization and recovery.

Community Access and Real-Life Support

As a nonprofit community mental health center, PES works to remove barriers to care. The program accepts Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE/federal military insurance, private insurance, and self-pay, with sliding-scale and payment assistance options. Supportive services include transportation assistance, housing and social service connections, peer recovery coaching, and health education. Language support includes sign language and Farsi interpretation. Through the Summit County Outreach Team (SCOUT), clinicians partner with Akron Fire/EMS to respond to 911 calls involving mental health concerns, offering on-site assessment, de-escalation, and linkage to continuing care.