Bridging the Gap

“Bernalillo County, UNMH and the public are all coming together on a long-awaited project offering best practices in behavioral health care for our residents. This county project is delivering on a promise, using $20 million in county funds and a $20 million match from UNMH, for construction and continued operation of a centralized behavioral health care facility.”

UNMH CEO Kate Becker said the new facility will help bridge an existing gap in the levels of care for behavioral health patients in the Albuquerque area.

“Right now, we have many people who do not meet inpatient admission criteria,” Becker said. “The Behavioral Health Crisis Center will help patients who are not acute enough to be in the hospital, but still need more support than just regular outpatient care.”

Morgas Baca and Becker also cited the expansion of the Psychiatric Emergency Department, the increased capacity for pediatric patients and a more defined area for law enforcement to drop off patients as additional benefits of the center.

This new facility will comprise 48,699 square feet and sit adjacent to the UNM Psychiatric Center.

It will include the Crisis Triage Center (CTC), which will provide medium-acuity crisis stabilization services with 16 single patient bedrooms. Other spaces in the CTC include group therapy and staff support areas, as well as an observation unit.

The Peer-Based “Living Room” Model will offer low-acuity walk-in or referral services in a welcoming environment accessed by a separate public entrance and lobby. This program will also include a respite area, living room space, nourishment area and client work rooms.

UNMH Psychiatric Emergency Services will expand its existing program to the new facility to better serve patients who present with greater psychiatric acuity.

The Behavioral Health Crisis Center is slated for completion in early 2024.