Children and families across the Erie region now have access to expanded mental health support following the opening of a new program at the Barber National Institute.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held earlier today for the institute’s new $2 million Children’s Health Program, located on Sassafras Street. Community leaders, supporters, and healthcare professionals gathered to celebrate the opening before taking guided tours of the new facility.
The program is designed to provide short-term behavioral health treatment for children and adolescents experiencing mental health crises. Officials say the services will help address the growing demand for mental health care among young people, both locally and nationwide.
As concerns about anxiety, depression, and other behavioral health challenges continue to rise among children, the new program aims to provide families with timely access to specialized care and support during critical moments.
The facility was made possible through a Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit, which helped fund the project and bring additional pediatric behavioral health resources to the Erie community.
With the program now officially open, Barber National Institute leaders say they hope the new services will help bridge gaps in care and improve outcomes for children facing mental health challenges throughout the region.