Stamford Health Opens New EmPATH Unit and PATHways Program to Serve Children and Adolescents in Need of Emergency Behavioral Health Care
Key Facts
- What: Stamford Health opens Bennett Child & Adolescent EmPATH Unit (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment and Healing) and PATHways Program.
- Where: Stamford Hospital Emergency Department
- Why it matters:
- Addresses the community's number one unmet health need: behavioral health.
- First EmPATH program in the state designed specifically for children and adolescents; second EmPATH unit in Connecticut.
- Core benefit: Rapid, specialized care in a calming, therapeutic environment for youth in psychiatric crisis.
- Care timeline: Evaluation and stabilization typically within 24 – 48 hours.
STAMFORD, CT / July 23, 2026 – Today, Stamford Health announced the opening of its new Bennett Child & Adolescent EmPATH Unit and PATHways Program, expanding access to timely, coordinated behavioral health care for young patients across Fairfield County. Together, these programs create a seamless continuum of care, from crisis stabilization through short-term outpatient support, designed to improve outcomes for children and adolescents experiencing psychiatric emergencies. The Carl & Dorothy Bennett Foundation generously contributed $1 million in support of this initiative, naming both the Bennett Child & Adolescent EmPATH Unit and the PATHways Program.
The EmPATH model, short for Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment and Healing, provides empathetic, recovery-oriented care for children and adolescents in crisis. Unlike traditional emergency department processes, where psychiatric patients may face extended stays while awaiting long term placement, the EmPATH Unit offers a dedicated, distinct unit with specialized behavioral health programming and staff trained to help patients and families in crisis.
“This is about meeting the youth in our community where they are, when they need us most,” said Raviv Berlin, MD, Chair of Psychiatry at Stamford Health. “Our new EmPATH Unit allows us to deliver the right care, in the right setting, at the right time, while treating every patient with empathy, dignity, and respect.”
The Bennett Child & Adolescent EmPATH Unit combines the supportive atmosphere of a community crisis clinic with the capability to manage acute psychiatric cases. The space is intentionally designed to reduce stress, agitation, and trauma while promoting recovery. Care is tailored to the unique needs of children and adolescents, with a focus on:
- Rapid stabilization in a safe, open-access setting.
- Compassionate, developmentally appropriate care.
- Reduced reliance on restrictive interventions such as restraints.
- Support for both patients and families during critical moments.
Patients are admitted swiftly, including those under involuntary psychiatric detention, and receive comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, active treatment, and time to stabilize before discharge decisions are made, typically within 24 to 48 hours. This allows clinicians to determine the most appropriate next level of care and ensures a smoother transition into ongoing support. A key component of that transition is the new PATHways Program, a 12-week outpatient initiative designed to support patients after discharge from the EmPATH Unit. The program provides:
- Structured therapy and psychiatric support.
- Care coordination while patients await longer-term services.
- Continuity with the same clinical team that treated them in the EmPATH Unit.
“As outlined in our annual Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), behavioral health remains the #1 unmet need in our community,” added Kathleen Silard, President and CEO. “With the launch of the Bennett Child & Adolescent EmPATH unit and PATHways Program, we are addressing a critical health need while expanding access to timely, developmentally appropriate care for young patients and their families during moments of crisis.”
These openings follow Stamford Health’s recent announcement of a comprehensive plan to transform its Bennett Medical Center campus. As part of this initiative, Stamford Health will expand and repurpose the existing Bennett Cancer Center into a two-story behavioral health facility, increasing capacity and introducing a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) alongside outpatient interventional psychiatric services.
“Every child deserves access to timely behavioral health care, especially during a crisis,” said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal. “As we continue to confront a youth mental health crisis, I commend Stamford Health for its work in expanding access to the compassionate, specialized care our children, families, and community need. I am proud to have helped secure funding for this new EmPATH Unit and PATHways Program.”
“Access to top-quality behavioral health care services, including among children and adolescents, is critical to strengthening overall health and providing timely crisis intervention,” said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. “Stamford Health's expansion of mental health services helps Connecticut broaden our ability to ensure that everyone in need of this care has the support they deserve.”
The launch of the Bennett Child & Adolescent EmPATH Unit was made possible in part through the advocacy of U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, who helped secure critical federal funding to support the development of the EmPATH Unit. In addition, Senator Ceci Maher and Representative Corey Paris secured state operational funding. Stamford Health is deeply grateful for the leadership of our elected officials and their extraordinary support of this important community resource. The EmPATH Unit and PATHways program are set to open in August 2026.
Learn more about Behavioral Health at Stamford Health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an EmPATH unit?An EmPATH unit is a specialized care model focused on Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment and Healing, designed to provide rapid evaluation and stabilization for patients experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
How is this different from traditional emergency care?
Unlike traditional ER processes, EmPATH units provide a dedicated, therapeutic environment where patients can receive focused psychiatric care without prolonged waiting or boarding.
Who will be treated in this unit?
This unit is specifically designed for children and adolescents experiencing psychiatric crises who are medically appropriate for behavioral health care.
How long will patients stay in the EmPATH unit?
Most patients are evaluated, treated, and stabilized within 24 to 48 hours, allowing clinicians to determine the best next step in care.
Will patients be admitted to the hospital?
Not always. Many patients can be stabilized and discharged with follow-up care, reducing unnecessary inpatient admissions.
What happens after discharge?
Patients can transition to the PATHways Program, a 12-week outpatient program offering therapy, psychiatric support, and care coordination.
How does this benefit the community?
The EmPATH unit improves access to behavioral health care, reduces strain on emergency departments, and enhances outcomes for patients and families.
ABOUT STAMFORD HEALTH
Stamford Health is a non-profit independent health care system serving Fairfield County, Connecticut. With more than 4,100 employees committed to delivering expert, compassionate, person-centered care, patients and their families receive an array of health and wellness services through the system’s 305-bed Stamford Hospital; 40 Stamford Health Medical Group offices; and a growing number of ambulatory locations.Stamford Health consistently receives top tier clinical and safety recognitions from U.S. News & World Report, Leapfrog, The American Nurses Credentialing Center, Planetree, Centers for Medicare, Medicaid Services and Castle Connolly, and is a Certified™ Great Place to Work. Stamford Health brings specialized care to the community through partnerships with leading academic medical centers including Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center and highly regarded care providers like Hospital for Special Surgery and Oula Health.
Through the Stamford Hospital Foundation, Stamford Health receives support to sustain core medical programs, acquire the latest technology and enhance patient-care overall.
For more information, visit StamfordHealth.org. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
PRESS CONTACT
Jake Gaydos, Communications ManagerStamford Health
[email protected]