A dozen more acute care adult psychiatric beds are being opened in southern Maine with funding support from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Spring Harbor in Westbrook says it requested the funding so that it could reopen what had been a children’s unit that closed in 2009.
“Any adult beds at Spring Harbor are available for treating those experiencing mental illness or co-occurring disorders, which is mental illness and substance abuse,” says Amy Safford, spokesperson for Spring Harbor’s parent organization, Maine Behavioral Healtcare.
Safford says a recent study indicates that 1 in 8 emergency room patients have mental health or substance abuse conditions as a primary diagnosis.
“The new beds will improve the care coordination process and also support the overall mental health system in Maine,” she says.
Safford says the first six beds will open at the end of May and the rest will be opened gradually through the end of September.
