Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa‘s East Campus is getting a new, 27,2000-square-foot addition, which will house behavioral health services. The expansion is planned for the space next to the hospital’s emergency department and will incorporate what is now administrative office space into the new construction.

The overall design for the center will utilize design elements the behavioral services team observed during site visits at several regional behavioral health facilities.

The second floor of the new behavioral health center will house separate inpatient units for adults and adolescents. The adult units will contain 24 private rooms, a group therapy room, dining room and a large space for socialization. The adolescent unit will have 5 semi-private rooms, group therapy room and a dining room.

The first floor of the expansion will house outpatient services, including the intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs. The space will have an intake area, outpatient therapy rooms and a group room. The entrance of the building will house a community help center. The help center will provide free access to information on community resources, such as how to get help for those struggling with mental illness and general information on the disease.

Construction on the $10.68 million project will begin this fall. The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2019.