Pardee to invest in adolescent behavioral health facility | News

UNC Health Pardee plans to invest $30 million to establish a 33-bed inpatient adolescent behavioral health facility. The project will require renovating 40,000 square feet of hospital space and is expected to open in January 2026.

The facility is made possible through a partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Vaya Health and the UNC School of Medicine, according to a news release.

“Behavioral health is one of the most urgent challenges facing our youth today,” said President and CEO of UNC Health Pardee Jay Kirby. “Providing much-needed space and services to address the lack of inpatient adolescent behavioral health services is a responsibility that we do not take lightly. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to meet this need in such a significant way.”

Pardee officials note this facility aims to meet the behavioral health services needs in western North Carolina and across the state by lessening pressure on already stressed health systems.

According to NCDHSS, children and adolescents grappling with mental health conditions often face long wait times for admission to specialized facilities, exacerbating their symptoms and impeding their recovery process.

Community health assessment data showed a 25% increase in mental health-related emergency room visits in western North Carolina during the past five years. 

“This will bring critical services to children and youth in western North Carolina where Hurricane Helene exacerbated the growing need for mental health care,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley. “Together with UNC Health, we are able to move faster to stand up services urgently needed so children can get the care that is right for them in the most appropriate setting.”

Officials with UNC Health Pardee said the renovated space within Pardee Hospital will provide a healing environment designed to support the unique needs of adolescents aged 12 to 17. The renovation is rooted in evidence-based principles to promote recovery and resilience and will offer a safe and nurturing environment for patients including comfortable patient rooms and spaces for therapy, recreation and education.

“Opening adolescent psychiatric services within our community hospital in partnership with UNC Health is a critical step toward providing comprehensive and accessible care to some of our most vulnerable populations,” said Bridget Fluech, nursing director of psychiatric and addictions therapeutic healing services at UNC Health Pardee. “By creating an environment where adolescents can receive immediate, specialized support, we not only address their individual needs but also enhance the mental health resilience of the entire community.”

Fluech explained that for patients this means timely intervention and a pathway to recovery in a familiar, less stigmatized setting. For the community it creates a safer, more supportive environment for young people to heal, grow and thrive. It also strengthens Pardee’s commitment to holistic care, expands service offerings, and fosters stronger partnerships with local schools, families and mental health professionals.

Partnering with the UNC School of Medicine, Pardee will benefit from leading-edge research and academic expertise in the delivery of care in this new facility, ensuring patients receive patient-centered treatments and therapies in adolescent behavioral health care. These include telehealth and virtual therapy, digital therapeutics and mental health apps – including mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care and peer support programs. The partnership also provides training opportunities for the next generation of healthcare professionals, further bolstering the region’s healthcare landscape.

“Improving behavioral health for younger patients is a top priority for UNC Health because we recognize that it’s a major issue across North Carolina and the country,” said Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, chair of UNC’s Department of Psychiatry. “The partnership between UNC Health Pardee and the UNC School of Medicine represents the best of academic medicine and community health care. We continue to explore ways to expand this level of much-needed care across the state.”

For more information or to find a physician, visit pardeehospital.org.