Texas Health and Human Services Commission plans for a nearly $160-million, 75-bed mental health hospital to serve the entire Panhandle region were revealed during a community information session last week

The idea became a reality when the Texas state government appropriated $159 million to construct the mental health hospital in Amarillo. Many Amarillo dignitaries were on hand for the information session, including State Rep. Four Price and Potter County Judge Nancy Tanner, Thursday evening in the Amarillo National Bank Building.

The need for more hospitals to address the mental issues of the national population is growing, leaders said. Patients needing care must currently face a long waitlist, which only complicates the problem.

The Panhandle State Hospital will hold 50 forensic (justice involved) beds and 25 civil (court mandated) beds and would be located near the Amarillo Medical District at the current Texas Medical Veterinary Diagnostic Lab site at 6610 W. Amarillo Blvd. According to Kristy Carr, Associate Commissioner of State Hospitals, the design phase is under way with a groundbreaking planned in late 2024 and construction completion anticipated for fall of 2027. The expected construction cost will be an estimated $159 million.

Due to space constraints, the building will be a three-story facility. The hospital’s outdoor spaces, individual patient rooms and extensive use of natural light are designed to promote healing and recovery. They are planning to hire around 400 employees for the new, modern facility, which will be designed to not look like a prison. There are more than nine state hospitals operated by HHSC across the state and one residential treatment facility for youth in Waco.

Patients who need inpatient care for their mental health challenges will be treated. State hospitals use evidence-based care and treatment to patients admitted on civil or forensic commitments. Forensic patients have been referred for care from the justice system.

Balancing enhanced security features with facility’s design to promote healing, recovery

There will be enhanced security features including sallyports and elopement buffers to control movement, key card access control to limit key loss, video surveillance, supervised courtyards with full video surveillance and a 15-foot anti-climb perimeter fence. There will also be secured emergency egress within the perimeter of the fence, manual metal detectors for checking patients, metal detectors for staff and visitors and a separate and secured delivery entry.

One of the main differences in the Amarillo facility will be the patient-friendly atmosphere to create a unique experience. There will be a gymnasium and group therapy classrooms. The interior will be tastefully decorated to convey a more inviting atmosphere, according to HHSC. The Panhandle State Hospital will feature state-of-the-art therapeutic spaces in a secure environment.

The hospital’s outdoor spaces, individual patient rooms and extensive use of natural light are designed to promote healing and recovery, according to Scott Schalchlin, Deputy of Executive Commissioner of HHSC Healthcare and Specialty Care System, who spoke briefly at last week’s update.

Carr said that at other facilities, “patients cried (when seeing the interior) because it was so beautiful. We are working hard at removing the stigma of mental health and stop the revolving door of treatment.”

The rooms will be single-bed areas to lessen stress, and there will be sensory rooms and skill-building classes for needed life skills like shopping. When patients reach a certain level, they may invite family and friends to a secured area to visit.

At the end of the presentation, Carr fielded questions from the public, including inquiries about using the local Texas Tech pharmacy school and other local providers for services. Carr said those options are being explored.

“We look for ways to partner with local facilities,” she said. “For instance, we are considering local landscaping businesses and laundry services, along with contractors for building.”

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Texas HHSC gives update on Amarillo mental health hospital