LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - StarCare Specialty Health System recently marked the expansion of Sunrise Canyon Hospital and The Hope Center in East Lubbock with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The newly expanded facility, located at Aspen Avenue and East 19th Street, now offers 60 inpatient psychiatric beds, increasing its capacity from 30 beds.
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Beth Lawson, CEO of StarCare Specialty Health System, noted the growing demand for mental health services in the community, stating, "For about the last 20 years, that’s just not been enough. There’s been a lot more need in our community than we could provide directly."
The Hope Center is designed to assist individuals who may not require hospitalization but need immediate assessment and connections to appropriate services.
Funding for the expansion came from a $2.5 billion state investment aimed at improving mental health access in Texas. The construction of The Hope Center was made possible through federal funds allocated to Lubbock and Lubbock County during the COVID-19 pandemic.
State Senator Charles Perry emphasized the project's importance, describing it as the first facility to open funded by the legislative efforts of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. Patrick commented on the role of public investment in shaping community health initiatives, saying, "How we spend your tax dollars really speaks of who we are as a people."
The updated Sunrise Canyon includes 15 forensic beds dedicated to providing treatment for low-level offenders, aiming to divert them from jail. Lubbock County Sheriff Kelly Rowe pointed out that many individuals in the county detention center have accessed mental health services previously. He remarked on the historical challenges, stating, "This is 20 years in the waiting that we’ve been talking about... Most importantly, the costs are the most expensive way to deal with behavioral health and mental health issues."
The facility features a circular driveway at the first responders’ entrance to facilitate quick patient transfers for law enforcement officers, allowing them to return to their duties efficiently. Rowe stated, "It’s facilities like this that are making the serious steps to move us out of that mindset..."
Lawson described the new facility as a "beacon of light," available 24/7 for individuals in crisis needing mental health care. The hospital is located at 1905 Aspen Avenue, and the StarCare 24-Hour Crisis Line can be reached at 806-740-1414.