LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – StarCare Specialty Health System hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the expansion of Sunrise Canyon Hospital and The Hope Center in East Lubbock.<\/p>\n
The expanded facility at Aspen Ave. and East 19th St. now features 60 inpatient psychiatric beds, doubling its previous capacity of 30 beds.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally, for about the last 20 years, that\u2019s just not been enough,\u201d said Beth Lawson, CEO of StarCare Specialty Health System. \u201cThere\u2019s been a lot more need in our community than we could provide directly.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Hope Center is designed for people who may not need hospitalization, but need immediate assessment and to be connected to the right services.<\/p>\n
Funding and community investment<\/p>\n
Funding for the hospital expansion came from a $2.5 billion state investment aimed at increasing mental health access across Texas. The Hope Center was constructed using federal funding allocated to the City of Lubbock and Lubbock County during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
State Sen. Charles Perry highlighted the significance of the project\u2019s completion.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first one that\u2019s actually opening out of the money that Lieutenant Governor helped get us across the finish line with,\u201d Perry said. \u201cAt the same time, it\u2019s the model for how it\u2019s supposed to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick noted the public investment behind the effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, we can do great things,\u201d Patrick said. \u201cAnd how we spend your tax dollars really speaks of who we are as a people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Providing alternatives to jail and emergency rooms<\/p>\n
Sunrise Canyon now includes 15 forensic beds intended to provide treatment to low-level offenders and divert them from jail.<\/p>\n
Lubbock County Sheriff Kelly Rowe said roughly half of the individuals admitted to the Lubbock County Detention Center have previously received mental health services, noting that correctional facilities have functioned as de facto mental health institutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is 20 years in the waiting that we\u2019ve been talking about with regard to give us alternatives other than entering people into the criminal justice system that adds all the complications,\u201d Rowe said. \u201cMost importantly, the costs is the most expensive way to deal with behavioral health and mental health issues.\u201d<\/p>\n
The facility also features a circular driveway at the first responders\u2019 entrance to allow law enforcement officers to transfer patients quickly and resume patrol duties.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s facilities like this that are making the serious steps to move us out of that mindset, out of that philosophy that we\u2019ve been under for so many years,\u201d Rowe said.<\/p>\n
Lawson called the facility a beacon of light, open 24\/7 to connect people to the care they need. <\/p>\n
If you\u2019re in crisis and seeking mental health care, the hospital is at 1905 Aspen Avenue. You can also call the StarCare 24-Hour Crisis Line at 806-740-1414.<\/p>\n
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