New Behavioral Health Pavilion Under Construction in Florence, S.C.

News Summary

Florence, South Carolina, is set to gain the Jean and Hugh K. Leatherman Behavioral Care Pavilion, a $100 million facility aimed at improving mental health services in the Pee Dee region. Currently under construction on East Cedar Street, the pavilion will enhance access to behavioral health resources, including triage, outpatient, and inpatient services. The facility is expected to open by October 2025, marking a significant upgrade in local healthcare infrastructure and mental health support.

Exciting Times in Florence, S.C.: A New Behavioral Health Pavilion is on the Way!

Florence, South Carolina, is buzzing with excitement as construction progresses on what promises to be a monumental addition to the area’s healthcare landscape—the Jean and Hugh K. Leatherman Behavioral Care Pavilion. Touted at a whopping $100 million, this state-of-the-art facility is currently under construction on East Cedar Street, and it’s designed to meet rising demands for behavioral health services throughout the Pee Dee region.

Setting the Stage for a Better Future

This captivating project honors the legacy of former South Carolina State Senator Hugh Leatherman and his partnership with his wife, Jean. With such significant names attached to it, expectations are running high. The facility’s development is in collaboration with various organizations, including the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), the South Carolina Department of Mental Health (SCDMH), McLeod Health, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC Health), Francis Marion University (FMU), and HopeHealth.

What’s Happening Now?

If you’ve been by the construction site recently, you might have noticed that things are moving along nicely! Currently, the structure’s walls are up, though they remain hidden from view behind a secure fence. A festive topping-out ceremony marked an important milestone as workers celebrated placing the last beam, signifying just how ambitious and far along this project has come. The big reveal is coming soon, with expectations that the facilities will start serving the community by October 2025.

A Behavioral Health Hub Like No Other

So what exactly can we expect from the Jean and Hugh K. Leatherman Behavioral Care Pavilion? For starters, this new facility will serve as a regional behavioral health hub, and it aims to significantly expand the spectrum of behavioral health resources available to residents. Some of the planned services include triage, crisis stabilization, outpatient, inpatient, and telehealth services, making this a truly comprehensive facility.

Innovative Services to Deliver Care

One of the standout features will be the rapid access center, offering walk-in triage and assessments for those in urgent need of help, making it easier than ever for individuals to seek help without the barriers of appointments. Plus, with telepsychiatry services being implemented, access to psychiatric care is set to improve dramatically across the region, ensuring no one is left behind when it comes to mental health.

Room for All

The pavilion’s design includes a variety of resources, with 16 adult and four adolescent beds allocated for crisis services. An outpatient clinic will further provide essential behavioral health services for both adults and children. For those requiring more intensive care, a 63-bed inpatient psychiatric unit will be part of the facility, enhancing local capabilities for treating patients needing acute care.

A Shift in Healthcare Paradigm

A significant aspect of this development involves transferring the existing 23 psychiatric hospital beds from the McLeod Behavioral Health Center in Darlington to the new pavilion. This move not only symbolizes a shift in the approach to mental health care but also builds upon years of collaboration led by Senator Leatherman and others who understand the pressing need for enhanced behavioral health resources in South Carolina.

Building Better Communities

The funding provided by the South Carolina General Assembly confirms a commitment to this cause, amplifying the importance of mental health across the community. By embracing a collaborative model in this groundbreaking endeavor, Florence is poised to lead the way in addressing the increased demand for behavioral health services and uplifting the quality of care available to its residents.

Florence, S.C., is truly on the brink of a healthcare evolution, and as the Jean and Hugh K. Leatherman Behavioral Care Pavilion approaches completion, the community eagerly anticipates the many lives that will be positively impacted by this innovative facility!

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Additional Resources

• WPDE: Florence Mental Health Hub Topping Out Ceremony
• WBTW: New Florence School to Offer Mental Health Services
• Post and Courier: Florence One Schools Compass Academy
• Wikipedia: Mental Health
• Google Search: Behavioral Health Facilities