South Dakota hospital expansion focuses on mental health
RAPID CITY — A Rapid City hospital plans to expand its emergency room over the next two years with the goal of providing better care for people suffering a mental health crisis in western South Dakota.
Rapid City Region CEO Paulette Davidson said Wednesday that the expansion will include eight “safe rooms” where people can be cared for while their mental crisis is de-escalated, the Rapid City Journal reported.
The announcement comes after the second meeting of the West River Behavioral Health Alliance, a group formed in March to address the lack of mental health services in the Black Hills area. The alliance was founded by Davidson, Rapid City Police Chief Karl Jegeris and Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom.
Jegeris said those working to improve mental health care are lacking resources.
Read more: http://www.capjournal.com/news/sd-hospital-expansion-focuses-on-mental-health/article_22cfa23c-3c55-11e7-a6c6-abd13e0e2616.html