DAVIE, Fla.—At a time of increased need for mental health services, Memorial Outpatient Behavioral Health Center is expanding its space by 40% with a $5 million initial investment by Memorial Healthcare System. The relocation and expansion of over 7,000 square feet will offer an additional 10,080 adult mental health and addiction visits—including psychiatry, behavioral health counseling and primary care services. This expansion will also include additional innovative services, all focused on helping patients achieve health and wellness in all areas of their lives.

Over the next year, the Behavioral Health Center, now located at 5595 South University Drive, Davie, Fla, will recruit three additional mental health providers, increase psychiatry resident rotations, and pursue additional federal, state and county grant funding. The plan also includes the creation of a teen and young adult program in partnership with Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States. More than 50% of people will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime, and 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in any given year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“On the heels of the pandemic, we have seen an increase in patients experiencing mental health crises in our community, evident also by an influx of patients into our emergency rooms seeking help,” said Tammy Tucker, PsyD, VP, Memorial Behavioral Health. “The expansion of Memorial’s outpatient behavioral health services is happening just at the right time to respond to the needs of our community and provide a safe space where our mental health professionals can empower even more patients and their families and provide them the tools they need to achieve wellness.”

Memorial’s expansion of outpatient services is taking place at a time when other market challenges are exacerbating access issues, barriers to care and health disparities. Inpatient psychiatric programs are closing in Broward County, and payment for private mental health services are shifting from insurance coverage to out-of-pocket expenses.

“We believe our new Behavioral Health Center will be a beacon of hope for those who need mental health and substance abuse services and will have a tremendous impact on the well-being of our patients, caregivers, families and more,” said Claudia Vicencio, PhD, LCSW, LMFT, Director, Outpatient Behavioral Health. “We are proud to offer this expanded space and services and we want people to know that we are here to help.”

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