Lakeview Center’s central receiving facility (CRF) is the designated entry point for adults living in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties who are experiencing a mental health crisis and need a Baker Act Screening. Lakeview Center is the most comprehensive behavioral health center in Northwest Florida, and our team is well-prepared to connect those in crisis to the follow-up care that best suits their needs, including community-based care, outpatient treatment or residential programs. The CRF is staffed by peer support specialists, nurses, medical doctors, psychologists, advanced registered nurse practitioners and behavioral health staff.

People recently in crisis who need additional care before transitioning to a community-based or outpatient program may benefit from our short-term residential treatment (SRT) program. SRT connects individuals to the most appropriate program based on their psychiatric symptoms. Options include Lakeview Lodges in Pensacola, Lakeview Center of Walton County residential programs, or other residential treatment such as an adult living facility or a nursing home if the person has a medical condition that requires skilled nursing levels of care. Other options may include community-based or outpatient programs.

After being screened at our Central Receiving Facility, clients needing inpatient care may be transported to a local hospital or will be served at Lakeview Center’s 30-bed Crisis Stabilization Unit, based on client preference and capacity.

If an individual comes to the Central Receiving Facility for care and is experiencing co-occurring issues such as substance misuse, our addiction receiving facility can help. Withdrawal from a substance requires special care by a trained behavioral health care professional.