The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital has taken over as lead coordinator for emergency behavioral health services on the Island, a role previously held by Martha’s Vineyard Community Services.

The hospital will be the new subcontractor for Bay Cove Human Services, which provides services to Islanders with behavioral and mental health emergencies.

The change was announced in a press release from Community Services and the hospital this week.

There will be no interruption in emergency services, the announcement said, but the phone number has changed. Effective March 21, the new number for 24-hour behavioral health emergencies is 1-833-229-2683.

Community Services chief executive officer Beth Folcarelli said in the release that the change “reflects a long period of assessment, deliberation, and planning.” She cited ongoing staff shortages that have strained the Island Counseling Center, exacerbated by the pandemic.

“With limited clinicians coming on board, and existing clinicians leaving due to the growing strain, our Island Counseling Center needed help. Wait lists grew as staff reduced or eliminated hours,” Ms. Folcarelli said in the release. “This decision reflects a long and difficult year. I am grateful to the heroic staff who stayed the course and am optimistic that with refocused effort, we can restore ICC to its pre-pandemic vibrancy.”