Riverside Behavioral Health Center (RBHC) held a celebratory groundbreaking ceremony to mark the commencement of construction for the freestanding psychiatric emergency department (ED) scheduled to open in late 2023. The psychiatric ED will be a 24-hour, 7 days-a-week support option for community members who may be experiencing a psychiatric crisis.
“The development of the psychiatric ED represents Riverside’s continued commitment to providing support for those facing a mental health crisis,” Ryan McQueen, M.D., Chief of Behavioral Health and Medical Director for Adolescent Services at Riverside Behavioral Health Center. “The new facility will provide an environment customized to treat anyone experiencing a psychiatric emergency efficiently and with dignity.”
The nearly 15,800 square-foot facility is designed to care for patients with mental illnesses, behavioral health concerns and substance abuse disorders who otherwise would go to local medical emergency rooms. The psychiatric ED will include space for individual and community treatments and separate units for adults and children. The state-of-the-art design features include:
● 10 private rooms and additional treatment areas
● Dedicated treatment areas for children under the age of 18 and adults
● Sensory rooms
● Calming environments
“We all know that physical health is important and is something we need to look after so that we can stay fit and well; mental health is no different,” says Stacey Johnson, Riverside Behavioral Health Hospital President and Vice President for Riverside Behavioral Health Center. “The unique design of our new ED will provide a critical resource for those experiencing a mental health issue and be a reliable space for them to begin their healing.”
To learn more about RBHC, visit riversideonline.com/rbhc.
Original source can be found here.
