UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital: A New Era in Mental Healthcare
Table of Contents
UCLA Health is poised to open a new, state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital in Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles, significantly expanding access to mental healthcare in the region. The hospital, an extension of the UCLA Resnick neuropsychiatric Hospital, aims to redefine psychiatric care through innovative design, patient-centered approaches, and a commitment to reducing stigma surrounding mental illness. Construction incorporates sustainable practices, including low-flow plumbing, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, and low-carbon, renewable building materials as reported by UCLA Newsroom.
Who Receives Care at a Psychiatric Hospital?
Psychiatric hospitals provide crucial care for individuals facing a range of mental health challenges. According to Dr. Laurie casaus, a UCLA Health psychiatrist, common reasons for hospitalization include depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation as detailed on the UCLA Health website. the hospital also treats patients with more complex conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Hospital stays are typically short-term, averaging a few days to a few weeks. During this time,patients receive stabilization,medication management,therapy,and training in coping skills. continued care is emphasized post-discharge, through ongoing therapy or participation in outpatient programs.
Research-Driven Care
The development of new treatments and care models is informed by research conducted at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behaviour at UCLA, and the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences. these institutions lead multidisciplinary teams studying the brain, mind, and behavior to advance the field of mental healthcare.
A Modern Approach to Hospital Design
The new hospital departs from outdated stereotypes of psychiatric facilities. Dr. Casaus emphasizes that modern psychiatric hospitals “are really nothing like that.” The design prioritizes a healing surroundings with living-room-like spaces for group therapy, outdoor gardens for horticultural therapy, and sensory rooms equipped with amenities like weighted blankets for quiet relaxation.
Nursing manager Sunnie Dishman highlights the improved workflow with nursing managers’ offices integrated onto the patient floors, fostering closer collaboration between staff and patients. A dedicated serenity room will provide a space for staff and clinicians to decompress and discuss cases.
Patient and Family-Centered Design
UCLA Health actively sought input from patients and families during the design process, led by Dr. Erick Cheung, chief medical officer of UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital. This collaborative approach ensured the hospital’s design reflects the experiences and needs of those it serves. “You take the experience of all the people that have worked in these different environments, and the lessons learned along the way… and then you get to translate that into being really intentional about how to design this space from the inside out,” Dr. Cheung explains.
Addressing Psychiatric Emergencies
A key feature of the new hospital is its 20-bed outpatient unit dedicated to diagnosing and stabilizing patients experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms. Currently, individuals in Los Angeles County facing psychiatric crises often end up in conventional hospital emergency departments, facing long wait times and initial assessment by medical staff without specialized mental health training. the Los Angeles Times reported on this issue.
The new unit will provide immediate access to highly trained psychiatric professionals, ensuring timely and appropriate care. Dr. Cheung hopes this improved access will help reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
“People kind of forget that the mind is part of the body – they think of it as something different or unusual or somehow separated from the rest of medicine,” Dr. Cheung states. “Just like you come in when you’ve got a cold,flu or a heart issue,you come in when you’re not doing well mentally.(The brain) is an organ of the body. … We’re going to figure out what’s ailing it, and we’re going to come up with a treatment plan to get it working better again.”
UCLA Health President Spisso emphasizes the importance of this investment, particularly at a time when many hospitals are reducing mental health services. “At a time when many other hospitals have reduced or eliminated mental health patient beds, I am so proud that UCLA Health prioritized this investment for the community,” she says.