Chesapeake Regional Healthcare has inaugurated a new inpatient behavioral health unit, marking a significant advancement in mental health services for the community. The facility, located at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, comprises 20 private rooms designed to provide comprehensive care for adults facing psychiatric crises.
In addition to patient rooms, the unit features activity rooms, a quiet room, a group therapy room, and a sensory room, all aimed at supporting the recovery process. This development follows the establishment of a psychiatric emergency department unit last year, reflecting a concerted effort to enhance behavioral health services in the region.
The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services contributed funding to the project, underscoring the state’s commitment to improving mental health care access. Commissioner Nelson Smith highlighted the initiative’s alignment with the ‘Right Help, Right Now’ program, which seeks to bolster crisis response and care availability statewide.
Reese Jackson, President and CEO of Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, emphasized the unit’s role in enabling patients, including veterans, to receive treatment closer to home. This proximity allows individuals to maintain connections with family and local support systems, which are vital for effective recovery.
The behavioral health expansion is supported by a combination of federal, state, and local funding totaling approximately $10 million. Plans are also underway for an outpatient behavioral health facility that will integrate primary care and mental health services, further broadening the scope of accessible care for Chesapeake residents.