Featured Article
Creating a softer landing during a mental health crisis
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
CBS6 spotlights Ellis’ Family Room & Living Room
Editor’s Note: This story is part of Ellis in Motion, a new feature highlighting the meaningful work we do each day. From everyday moments to tech breakthroughs, Ellis in Motion celebrates the people and teams who make a difference.
One thing became clear almost immediately when the cameras arrived at Ellis Medicine’s Family Room and Living Room last week: This didn’t feel like a typical health care story. It felt personal. Familiar. Human.
A CBS6 crew spent time inside the programs as part of Mental Health Awareness Month coverage, highlighting the work happening every day at Ellis to provide walk-in mental health support for adults, children, and families in our community.
The story aired across CBS6 and its partner station CW15, followed this Tuesday by two live morning interviews featuring Outpatient Crisis Diversion Supervisor Tori Daniels (pictured, center) and Peer Counselor Mary Loughran (pictured, left) discussing the growing need for accessible mental health care — and the importance of meeting people with compassion instead of judgment.
Additional segments are planned in the coming weeks as part of the station’s month-long awareness series.
The attention reflects something Ellis staff have known for years: Access to mental health support often comes down to one simple question — “Where do I go right now?”
That’s the idea behind the Living Room and Family Room. The programs operate as walk-in mental health support centers, offering a calm, welcoming alternative to the Emergency Department for people experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, or a developing crisis. No appointments are needed.
The Living Room, which opened in 2018, serves adults and has maintained an approximately 98% diversion rate from the Emergency Department. The Family Room, launched in 2024 and recently expanded to serve children as young as 4½, focuses on early intervention and family support before situations escalate into larger crises.
Beyond the numbers, the programs are built around something simpler: helping people feel heard.
The CBS6 coverage captured that spirit well — not as a discussion about systems or policy, but as a story about creating spaces where people can walk in, take a breath, and know someone is ready to help.
Click below to check out the coverage.
CBS 6 Live Segment
CBS6 Mental Health Awareness Coverage
Learn more about The Living Room and Family Room
Ellis Medicine | Newsroom
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All official communications regarding Ellis Medicine are arranged through the Communications Department. We look forward to working with members of the public and media organizations to provide accurate, up-to-date information about Ellis Medicine.
Contact:
Communications
Ellis Medicine
1101 Nott Street
Schenectady, NY 12308
518.232.9288