April 24, 2025 — The Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board is set to inaugurate the B.J. Roberts Behavioral Health Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday. This facility is named in honor of the former Hampton sheriff, B.J. Roberts, who dedicated much of his career to supporting mental health causes.
The center spans over 20,000 square feet and will provide assessment and treatment for individuals experiencing mental health crises. Services will include medication management, suicide prevention, and counseling. The facility aims to provide a calming atmosphere, distinct from the often-stimulating environment of a typical emergency room.
Located at 300 Marcella Road, the center is designed to manage mental health emergencies, thereby allowing hospital emergency rooms to focus on individuals with physical health issues.
Funding for the center came from multiple sources, including local city governments, Sentara Healthcare, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and through Governor Glenn Youngkin’s “Right Help Right Now” initiative.
In a statement, Daphne Cunningham, the executive director of the Community Services Board, and Ryan Dudley, the director of crisis services, said: “We strongly felt that the crisis receiving center was the right thing to do for our community, and we are proud that it will offer a response that is reflective of our communities’ commitment to individuals with behavioral health and substance use needs.”
B.J. Roberts, who passed away in 2020, served as Hampton’s sheriff for 28 years, capping a distinguished career in law enforcement.
