Governor Stein Launches New Mental Health Campus in Garner, NC

Governor Josh Stein joined officials from WakeMed on March 15, 2024, to officially break ground on a new mental health campus in Garner, North Carolina. This initiative aims to enhance the state’s mental health services, reflecting a significant investment in community health.

Investment in Mental Health Services

The new campus will serve as a comprehensive care facility, featuring a 150-bed mental health unit and an additional 45-bed acute care hospital. Governor Stein emphasized the importance of this development during the ceremony, stating, “A healthier North Carolina is a safer North Carolina, and WakeMed’s whole-person health campus will support the state’s growing need for mental health services,” as noted by the North Carolina Office of the Governor.

WakeMed’s president and CEO, Donald Gintzig, expressed appreciation for the strong support this project has garnered. He described the campus as a transformative approach to mental health care, which addresses not only the medical needs of patients but also aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

The funding for this ambitious project includes $6 million from both Wake County and the area’s Congressional delegation, with additional support from the WakeMed Foundation. The campus will span 53 acres and will include an emergency department that operates 24/7, a full range of diagnostic services, and therapeutic amenities such as art and music therapy facilities. In-patient and out-patient services will also be part of the campus, along with necessary operating and procedural rooms.

Statewide Commitment to Behavioral Health

This initiative aligns with the historic 2023-2025 North Carolina biennium budget, which allocated a record $835 million to behavioral health. These funds will support mobile crisis teams, crisis receiving centers, and stabilization beds specifically for children. Governor Stein is urging the General Assembly to continue this momentum, advocating for ongoing investment in a resilient behavioral health framework that serves all North Carolinians.

As the state moves forward with these initiatives, the focus remains on building a robust mental health infrastructure that provides comprehensive support to those in need. The new campus in Garner represents a critical step in addressing mental health challenges and enhancing community well-being across North Carolina.