Children's of Alabama is expanding its Inpatient Behavioral Health Services to meet the rising need for child and adolescent mental health care in the community.

According to a news release, the center will open an additional 11 beds this month to address a critical shortage of mental health resources for young patients.

Bonnie Moore, Director of Nursing at the Behavioral Health Inpatient Center, emphasized the importance of this expansion.

"With this addition, we will be able to meet the needs of patients who can actively participate in the therapy-focused milieu," Moore said in the release. "This unit will ensure a supportive environment for these patients to begin to heal, grow, and develop coping strategies. By providing this space, we will empower these patients to understand their emotions, develop coping skills and set a foundation for lifelong mental and emotional health."

The newly opened unit will specialize in evidence-based dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and behavioral interventions, focusing primarily on patients aged 12 to 18. A key aspect of the program will be patient and family involvement, providing a holistic approach to treatment. The unit's design allows for continued practice and coaching in real-world scenarios, supported by a team of therapists, nurses, and staff.

This expansion is part of a larger effort by Children's of Alabama to address the growing demand for mental health services. Over the last decade, the organization has broadened its behavioral health program to include a full spectrum of services, such as outpatient services at Patriot Park in Birmingham, a dedicated space in the Emergency Department, and programs like the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Additionally, the Pediatric Intake Response Center (PIRC) and the statewide PATHS Program are offering resources in primary care and in-school settings across Alabama.

The need for inpatient behavioral health care has grown significantly in recent years. In 2024, 43% of behavioral health patients in the Children's Emergency Department had to wait more than six hours for an available bed in the inpatient unit. This marks a 15% increase in inpatient admissions between 2018 and 2024. The added beds are expected to reduce wait times and increase capacity for inpatient care.

The rise in demand for mental health services is also reflected in national trends. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2022 Kids Count Data Book, the percentage of children ages 3 to 17 in the U.S. who experienced anxiety or depression increased by 25.5% between 2016 and 2022. Much of this growth is attributed to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.