News
Sep 19, 2023 _ news
Cincinnati Children’s Cuts Ribbon on New Pediatric Mental Health Center
The number of children and teens dealing with mental and behavioral health issues continues to rise. Designed as a haven of hope and healing, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the nation’s top ranked pediatric health system, recently cut the ribbon on the new William K. Schubert M.D. Mental Health Center, which will expand mental health services for children and adolescents. The new facility features 83 private rooms, a Family Resource Center, an accessible café, and other shared therapeutic spaces where family members can be there for their kids.
“This building is a giant step forward in what we can do for children and families. It will house an expanding group of programs that will provide the most advanced evidence-based care for children and adolescents,” said Michael Sorter, MD, director of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Cincinnati Children’s.
The design incorporates re-thinking the collection of therapeutic settings known as milieu. These are the spaces where patients will spend most of their time, participating in group therapy, guided activities, free choice time, and other therapies. The design emphasizes meaningful environments that mimic moving through one’s day, like changing classes at school.
“With this new building, our hope was to balance an uplifting sense of hope for families with restorative and operationally safe spaces for everyone who comes there,” says Ben Earls, part of the GBBN team who worked on the project. “The architecture is intended to evoke a sense of wonder along with sophistication, comfort, and confidence that reassures patients, families, and staff that change is around the corner.”
Dichroic (color changing) glass fins on the exterior façade and an oculus in the lobby enhance the feeling of transparency and welcome and invite curiosity, create interest and a sense of something new every visit.
“Pediatric mental illness is one of the most pressing health issues of our time,” said Steve Davis, MD, President & CEO of Cincinnati Children’s. “These children deserve our best ideas, our most courageous strategies, our long-term commitment, and our utmost compassion. With the opening of this facility, we have another tremendous opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our patients, families, and staff in terms of improved access and the quality of care we deliver.”
