Due to construction delays, the corresponding regional facility will not be operational until the end of December. The Human Services Agency continues to ensure that those facing a mental health crisis receive the care they need, despite the lack of safe beds and detox units.
“There have been a lot of delays,” said Kari Johnston, executive director of the Human Services Agency. “Our roofing subcontractor couldn’t get the materials he needed. And without a secure roof in place, the other subcontractors can’t do their jobs.”
Plus:Planned facility would provide better services to people in mental health crisis
The new regional appropriate facility, client drop-in center, detox facility, and halfway house campus are located behind the Human Services Agency building. The estimated cost is approximately $6 million. The appropriate regional facility will serve several purposes, all of which will help address behavioral and mental health. One of the key benefits of the facility is the number of “safe beds” it will provide.
Delays are more than an inconvenience
Currently, there is also no place to place those in need of a safe room or detox, but the Human Services Agency continues to make sure those in crisis get the help they need.
Safe beds allow a five-day assessment to be completed without taking people in crisis out of their community to the South Dakota Human Services Center in Yankton or the Avera Behavioral Health Center in Sioux Falls. Approximately 75% of people taken to health centers are returned to the community after evaluation without the need for inpatient psychiatric care.
Plus:Prairie Lakes Healthcare contributes $2 million to appropriate regional facility project
Without detox rooms, the opportunity to help and begin to heal is lost. Those struggling with detox are more likely to be ready to address their mental health and addiction issues, Johnston said.
“Those who need detox will probably go to Prairie Lakes. (The hospital) will keep them sober and send them on their way,” Johnston said.
Those who require a safe bed complete their five-day evaluations at the detention center. This is not an ideal place to keep someone who needs psychiatric evaluation, but it does allow the patient to remain in their community.
Once the proper regional facility is complete, Serenity Hills will move to the new campus. The original halfway house location was being leased, but was sold and vacated in June. Serenity Hills is currently in a temporary location and the available beds have been reduced from 16 to 12. This not only affects those in need of transitional housing, but also affects the finances of the agency.
Serenity Hills is the first halfway house in the state to serve people with dual diagnoses, meaning they have both substance addiction and mental health issues. The halfway house serves as transitional housing for men coming from a treatment center.
These temporary solutions help keep people safe, but the need for mental health services in the region remains high.
“We average about 38 calls a month,” Johnston said. “When you have a crisis a day, it’s good to have at least one option to buy a little time.”
Hiring for additional staff will begin once the building is complete.
