UNC Health Pardee has opened a 23-bed Adolescent Behavioral Health Center for inpatient psychiatric care on September 9, 2023, in Hendersonville, North Carolina. This facility provides support for teenagers aged 13 to 17, offering a closer option for families in Henderson, Buncombe, Transylvania, Polk, and Haywood counties. The center accepts both voluntary and involuntary admissions, ensuring that youth do not have to be prior patients to access care. This new unit aims to reduce travel times and waiting periods for families seeking immediate support.
Read More
The $30 million renovation of approximately 40,000 square feet at the hospital, which was previously occupied by administrative offices, was financially supported by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Vaya Health, and the UNC School of Medicine. Previously, only two of the eight facilities in North Carolina that accept adolescents under involuntary commitment were located in the western part of the state, with AdventHealth accommodating only girls and another facility serving a mix of ages.
A significant demand for adolescent mental health services exists in the region, with the 19 western counties reporting the highest percentage of Medicaid-insured children aged 5 to 17 diagnosed with clinical depression in 2023. Emergency visits related to mental health in the area increased by 25% over five years.
While there has been some improvement statewide in mental health indicators—evidenced by a decline in high school students reporting persistent sadness from 39% in 2023 to nearly 30% in 2025—distance to care remains a critical factor for effective treatment. Local access allows parents to participate more easily in therapy and discharge planning, essential aspects of recovery, according to Bridget Fluech, nursing director of psychiatry services at UNC Health Pardee.
Admissions can be coordinated by various sources such as emergency departments, mental health providers, and school counselors. Families can reach out to the center at 828-435-8370 for questions related to admissions. In emergencies, immediate assistance should be sought at the nearest emergency department or by calling 911.
Typical stays at the center are expected to last between five to ten days, incorporating various therapeutic approaches including individual, group, and family therapy. The design of the unit aims to ensure safety, featuring furniture secured to prevent self-harm and a designated seclusion room used only when absolutely necessary. The center contracts with most insurers and accepts Medicaid, while also providing options for families without insurance.
The unit is gradually opening, starting with limited admissions and targeting full capacity within six months. However, it will not address every need; it does not accept children younger than 13 or those with severe intellectual or developmental disabilities. For immediate help in crises, parents should contact 988 or consult their child's healthcare provider.