The sole behavioral health crisis center in the region of Northern Minnesota is under construction. The project, which began in December of 2018, has been in the works for quite some time. Beltrami County and Sanford Health are collaborating to provide much-needed treatment to patients and families while also upholding Sanford Health’s commitment to rural health care in all of its forms. The majority of the $6.2 million project’s funding came from the state of Minnesota and Beltrami County, with the Sanford Foundation covering the remaining expenditures. The crisis center will open in the fall of 2022.
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Detailed plans of the Northern Minnesota behavioral center
It will be around 12,000 square feet in size and will have psychiatric inpatient rooms as well as the region’s first EmPATH unit, commonly known as an Emergency Psychiatric Assessment Treatment and Healing unit. The EmPATH unit offers a relaxing environment in which patients may get individually customized treatment from nurses, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, certified alcohol and drug counselors, and skills-based service providers.
“This was a highly sophisticated project that was incredibly original, and as you might imagine, innovation is both exhilarating and terrifying.” There were many patients who needed to be supported in what we hope will be a significant shift and enhancement in our services,” said Jay Coughenour, director of mental health at Sanford Bemidji.
“This is what happens when communities band together.” We are certain that this project and these services will benefit our community for centuries to come. It’s sorely required because we know people who are in need, and we need to offer these facilities for them. They no longer have to go 90, 100, or 200 miles from their house. “They may have the support networks of their own families right here in town to assist them get through this crisis,” said Tom Barry, Beltrami County administrator.
