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As Idaho grows a new psychiatric hospital will open in Nampa


Construction for State Hospital West will be finished by fall and patients will be admitted starting next spring. (Kristen McPeek Photo){ }
Construction for State Hospital West will be finished by fall and patients will be admitted starting next spring. (Kristen McPeek Photo)
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Planting its roots in Nampa is a new psychiatric hospital for teenagers that is expected to open in about a year from now.

“This is the only state-operated psychiatric hospital for kids in the state of Idaho,” Ross Edmunds the Administrator at Division of Behavioral Health.

Kids ages 13-17 will be able to come here if they need extra psychiatric care after spending a few days in a community hospital.

It’s called State Hospital West.

“Mostly we have kids with major depression, kids with some behavioral issues, difficulties with managing at home and at school. It's really gotten to the point for the families where they don't have anywhere else to turn,” Gina Westcott, the Southwest HUB Administrative Director for the Division of Behavioral Health.

Right now kids are treated at a psychiatric hospital in Blackfoot alongside adults. Edmunds says that 75% of the young patients there come from the Treasure Valley.

“The real need that we have is for adults. For high-risk adults,” Edmunds said. “So creating this hospital here in the Treasure Valley allows us to turn the existing hospital for adolescents in Blackfoot into a high-risk adult unit.”

According to Edmunds, this is just one way Idaho is evolving with the growth.

“So, the growth of the population here in the Treasure Valley and really across the state, there is more and more need for these types of services,” Edmunds said.

State Hospital West will have 16 beds. Kids will stay here for a month-long on average.

The building will have special glass, impact-resistant finishes on the walls and plenty of sky lighting through the building.

“From the nurse station, you can see every single door of the patient rooms and patient bathrooms from either side,” said Alexis Townsend an architect with Lombard/Conrad Architects.

She worked with a team to design this building and specializes in these types of buildings that are safe and comfortable for patients.

These rooms were created to be both monitored but comfortable for kids.

Places like safe rooms, a Zen garden, and a sport court will allow patients to decompress.

They will also have access to family therapy.

“I think when we admit the child, we also admit the family. They need as much, you know, love and care as those kids do so I'm looking forward to really working with families as well as kids,” Westcott said.

Kids here will also be able to attend classes online while getting treatment. Education specialists will also be on-site.

“We're thinking about all the ways that we can make this experience for kids the best it can be,” Westcott said.

While they do try to make the facility as comfortable as possible, Edmunds says this place is the last resort for their treatment.

"Really our goal is to try to treat them in the community and prevent them from having to come here," Edmunds said. "Because we know long-term that's the most effective way and and and what's best for kids and families."

State Hospital West is funded by the State and service will be funded through Medicaid.

As for the types of treatment, the department of health and welfare is in the beginning stages of planning and looking to hire. Nurses, technicians and more are current job openings. You can click HERE for more information.

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