Evansville Proposes Millions to Address Mental Health
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The city of Evansville is planning to use a portion of its more than $64 million allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act to address mental health. Our partners at WEHT-TV report the city is taking steps to expand facilities, resources and treatment.
Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke is asking the city council to allocate $10 million to Southwestern Behavioral Health to renovate two facilities.
The renovations would create “Mulberry Center,” a short-term program that would provide 20 beds and serve individuals with mental health needs who don’t need to be hospitalized.
“That building would become a full service to adults to include therapy, psychiatry and our crisis stabilization unit all in one spot,” said Katy Adams, president of Southwestern Behavioral Health.
Southwestern Behavioral Health would also build a new Youth and Family Center that would provide treatment to children with mental health issues and intellectual disabilities.
“There is really limited options,” said Adams. “So, we hope to have a clinic that would be a neurology developmental psychiatry clinic.”
The station reports the city’s mental health plan also includes money to expand psychological services at Easterseals Rehabilitation Center, as well as the Evansville Diversions Center at United Caring Services.
“Right now, to get psychological testing- children are waiting 8 to 10 months. And that is just not acceptable,” said Kelly Schneider, chief executive officer of Easterseals.
The city council will vote on the plan Monday night.