The new behavioral health care facility took two years to develop.
The Medical Center of Aurora (Colo.) opened a new Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit July 6 that will meet the needs of underserved Denver area youth ages 12 to 17 who need specialized care.
The new $5 million facility is 19,875 square feet and consists of consult and exam rooms, space for treatment planning and group therapy, a seclusion room, nurse station with pharmacy, quiet activity room, comfort rooms and an outdoor activity yard.
Rooms for group therapy and quiet activity help youth interact with one another in a safe, positive environment.
The unit is designed to keep patients safe with increased security access, anti-ligature fixtures, and an open concept to allow patients to interact with one another to promote well-being.
In development for nearly two years, the new facility includes 20 inpatient beds and expects to operate at 100 percent capacity. A typical length of stay is seven to 14 days, followed by an intensive outpatient program.
The facility designer was Stengel-Hill Architecture and the general contractor was Howell Construction.
Scott Adams, director of youth services for the program, says the facility's holistic approach to care is what makes the Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit unique.
"Our clinical treatment is unmatched," Adams says. "We treat the whole person, integrating physical, emotional and medical issues with the goal of improving day-to-day interactions with the world. We understand the importance of treating youth as individuals with unique qualities and needs."
Patients who stay at the 20-bed facility will receive follow-up outpatient care.
The Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit offers a comprehensive physician-led, interdisciplinary treatment team to work with challenges ranging from anger management, anxiety, depression, potential to cause self-harm and much more.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about one in five youth ages 12 to 17 suffer from a range of treatable mental health problems. An estimated 50,000 youth in the Denver area may need help for behavioral health issues, area health experts say.
The Denver metro area currently has only 148 inpatient psychiatric beds within area medical facilities, so the addition of 20 new beds at the Medical Center of Aurora's campus is significant, according to the health system.
The Medical Center of Aurora is part of HealthONE, Denver's largest health care system.
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