LEXINGTON, Ky. — On June 20, healthcare providers and donors cut the ribbon on the new Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) at Kentucky Children’s Hospital (KCH). The 17-bed inpatient space is designed to meet the unique needs of children and adolescents who would benefit from more intensive mental and behavioral health interventions.
“Kentucky’s kids are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis,” said Scottie B. Day, M.D., physician-in-chief of Kentucky Children’s Hospital. “Suicide, suicide ideation, depression, anxiety and eating disorders have increased alarmingly over the past few years. There is still a lot of work to do to address this crisis. Still, along with expanded outpatient access, mental health screenings and provider training, this new unit is an invaluable resource for patients who need specialized care.”
The new space features eight semi-private rooms and one private room specifically designed for patients aged 5 to 17. Previously, patients aged 11 to 17 were treated in the 10-bed inpatient unit in UK HealthCare’s Good Samaritan Hospital. The BHU provides a personal, structured environment for adolescents with mental illness or behavioral health issues. Housed within KCH, the unit can access a full range of age-appropriate resources, including pediatric medical services.
Other features include:
- An expanded interdisciplinary team includes providers from psychiatry, psychology, nursing, pharmacy, social work, art therapy, music therapy, pastoral care and Child and Family Life.
- A secure outdoor area with developmentally appropriate activities and recreational therapy.
- Therapeutic lighting and artwork.
- A multi-use space for child-friendly activities.
- Enhanced audiovisual and media services connected to the Get Well Network, an interactive patient engagement and care platform.
“The design of this new unit allows us better to meet our young patients on their developmental level,” said Amy Meadows, M.D., chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. “We provide evidence-based, trauma-informed care focusing on crisis stabilization, skill building and safety planning to give our patients the treatment and tools they need.”
In addition to medical treatment and therapy, patients will have access to programs focusing on areas such as emotional wellness, healthy relationships, coping with stress, decision-making and self-esteem. Fayette County schools provide full-time teacher for adolescents who stay in the unit for more than five days. The teacher works with each patient twice weekly to stay on track with school and homework.
For the safety of patients, staff and visitors, the BHU utilizes a Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT), a secure unit, two quiet areas and cameras in common areas to facilitate remote monitoring. All staff receive crisis prevention training that focuses on verbal de-escalation strategies
Starting June 25, patients who are 17 or under with behavioral health emergencies should be sent for evaluation to the Makenna David Pediatric Emergency Department at UK Chandler Hospital. Specially trained pediatric providers will evaluate and make recommendations for behavioral health concerns, including but not limited to the following:
- Thoughts of harm to self or others.
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
- Depression or bipolar disorders.
- Psychosis.
- Disordered eating.
A recent study found that the U.S. mortality rate for people ages 1 to 19 rose by 10.7% from 2019 to 2020 and 8.4% from 2020 to 2021. Suicide, homicide and drug use are among the leading causes of pediatric deaths. Nationwide, more than 60% of children and adolescents with major depression receive no mental health care and self-harm cases resulting in hospital admission almost doubled from 2019 to 2021.
