Piedmont Community Services (PCS) unveiled its latest mental health service in Martinsville and Henry County on October 1—The Lighthouse, a crisis intervention center aimed at providing immediate support to individuals in mental health crises. The center will work closely with law enforcement to offer a brighter future for residents in need.
“For the past 50-plus years, Piedmont has strived to uphold our agency motto. Our agency model is promoting compassionate solutions,” said Greg Preston, PCS executive director. Preston is collaborating with local government officials on the next phase of the project, which includes plans to establish a crisis stabilization unit for adults.
Kelly Koebel, PCS’s director of behavioral health services, highlighted how Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s behavioral health initiative, ‘Right Help, Right Now,’ addresses the urgent need for mental health support. ” What that means is that individuals in crisis can get the help that they need now,” Koebel said, adding that the strain on both law enforcement and hospital systems has prompted the need for alternatives. “We’ve learned that many individuals can be safely managed without requiring inpatient hospitalization.”
Erin Motley, PCS’s assistant director of crisis services, echoed this sentiment, expressing hope that The Lighthouse will relieve pressure on hospitals while providing trauma care. “Our hope and our goal is to be a beacon of hope for our community, helping individuals stabilize their crises locally,” she said.
The Lighthouse serves both individuals under emergency custody orders and those voluntarily seeking help during a mental health crisis. “We offer a 23-hour service,” explained Motley, noting that people aged 10 and up can stay at the center, undergo evaluations, receive medication management, and be connected to long-term resources.
Regional Manager Richard Harris praised the facility’s name, noting that the Lighthouse truly “serves as a beacon of hope—a place of safety, refuge, and treatment.” He emphasized the center’s role in the community is to provide services to those in need. “The individuals we serve are the reason we are here.”
City Council member Kathy Lawson welcomed the new addition, calling it “a wonderful opportunity for our citizens to receive much-needed care without needing hospitalization or being sent away.”
Jim Adams, chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors, said the community has long needed a crisis intervention center. “We will now be able to provide that essential support to individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and addiction,” Adams said. He also expressed confidence that The Lighthouse will play a key role in addressing the region’s opioid crisis. “This center will provide a safe and welcoming environment for those in crisis.”
For those experiencing a mental health crisis, Piedmont Community Services can be reached at (276) 632-7128. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 988 for immediate assistance. The Lighthouse is located at 287 Commonwealth Blvd., Martinsville.
