Halcyon Crisis Center in El Cajon provides a voluntary, home-like alternative to psychiatric hospitalization through its Short-Term Acute Residential Treatment (START) program. Serving adults 18 and older experiencing severe psychiatric crises, the center creates a supportive environment where clients typically stay for about nine days. While primarily focused on mental health conditions, the program also accommodates those with co-occurring substance use disorders when these are not the primary concern. Clients must have medically stable conditions that can be managed on an outpatient basis and willingly agree to follow program guidelines. The comprehensive care approach includes psychiatric evaluations, medication management, individual and group counseling, life skills education, integrated substance use treatment, recreational activities, and thorough discharge planning to ensure continued support. As part of the Community Research Foundation, Halcyon Crisis Center is committed to accessibility, accepting Medi-Cal beneficiaries and uninsured individuals with a policy that no one is turned away based on inability to pay. To further enhance accessibility, services are available in both English and Spanish.