Spartanburg County Opens First Inpatient Mental Health Unit for Adolescents

Kevin Matson, president of Spartanburg Medical Center, emphasized the importance of proximity to care, stating, "This is a way to keep care close to home and keep families together." He noted that when children can visit their parents during treatment, it significantly aids in the recovery process.

Dr. John Mauch, the medical director of inpatient behavioral health services, explained that many crises faced by teens stem from family issues. Being far from home complicates the healing process through family support.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has reported that 71 percent of U.S. counties lack a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Nationwide, there are slightly over 12,000 for the 74 million individuals under 18. Spartanburg Medical Center now employs two psychiatrists: one in the new unit and another in the emergency department to determine which children require hospitalization and which can be managed with outpatient plans.

Inpatient care becomes essential under certain conditions, as outlined by Mauch: when a child poses a danger to themselves, poses a risk to others, or is disconnected from reality. Typically, patients stay for about five to seven days, with a maximum of ten days, participating in group therapy sessions designed to reduce feelings of isolation.

The unit was meticulously designed for safety and visibility, featuring large windows for staff oversight and carefully selected furniture. Each patient room includes a dry-erase wall for artistic expression and uplifting messages from staff.

The initiative for this unit originated in 2023, when over 75 community leaders from healthcare, nonprofits, and philanthropy collaborated to address the county's mental health crisis. Their efforts, termed Vital Spartanburg, were publicly launched in June, focusing on substance abuse, crisis stabilization, and mental health support for children and families. The planning and construction of the unit took approximately a year and a half.

Matson stated, "This is one key aspect of caring for the adolescents in this community. It really takes the entire community. This unit addresses a specific moment when a hospital admission is necessary, but we hope that much of the care can occur outside of the hospital prior to that need."