ARMC celebrates groundbreaking for new Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit

On Sept. 11, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) took a major step toward addressing the region’s mental health crisis by breaking ground on its new Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit. This state-of-the-art facility will be the first of its kind in San Bernardino County, designed specifically to cater to the unique needs of adolescents facing mental health challenges.

ARMC Chief Executive Officer Andrew Goldfrach, FACHE, and San Bernardino County 5th District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., led the groundbreaking ceremony with a symbolic demolition of a wall in the existing unit that will soon be transformed. This moment marked the beginning of a project that has been years in the making, aimed at addressing the growing demand for adolescent behavioral health services in the region.

This project is a collaborative effort between the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, County Administrative Offices, ARMC, the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Project and Facilities Management, and their contracting partner Hallsta. Together, these organizations aim to create a world-class inpatient behavioral health facility that will provide comprehensive care for adolescents in need.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2018 to 2021, more than one million emergency department visits involved children and adolescents diagnosed with mental health disorders. In response to this crisis, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children’s Hospital Association declared a National State of Emergency in Children’s Mental Health in 2021.

ARMC’s new facility will include an adolescent behavioral health emergency room, a vital feature that will allow adolescent patients to receive care separate from adults. This separation is critical to providing a safe and supportive environment tailored to the developmental and emotional needs of young people. By integrating the emergency room into the behavioral health unit, ARMC ensures that adolescents in crisis can receive immediate and specialized care.

The development of the new Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit aligns with San Bernardino County’s Countywide Vision, specifically in building a sustainable system that promotes high-quality education, community health and public safety. Mental health is a key component of this vision, and ARMC’s facility will play a pivotal role in ensuring that adolescents receive the care and support they need to thrive.

In addition to its healthcare services, the unit will forge partnerships with local unified school districts to integrate education and mental health support. This collaboration will ensure that young patients not only receive therapeutic care but also stay on track academically during their treatment.

The facility will also offer a variety of inpatient therapy groups, providing diverse and intensive treatment options tailored to the specific needs of adolescents. These therapy groups will allow young patients to engage in a comprehensive approach to healing, addressing both their mental and emotional health in a supportive and structured environment.

The establishment of this unit represents a significant investment in the region’s mental health infrastructure and underscores ARMC’s commitment to improving access to care for adolescents. As the mental health crisis continues to affect young people across the nation, this groundbreaking project offers a beacon of hope for families in San Bernardino County.

Through its collaborative approach and cutting-edge facility design, ARMC’s Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit is poised to make a lasting impact on the community, ensuring that adolescents receive the compassionate, specialized care they need during their most vulnerable moments.