The CPC has been the state’s only children’s emergency psychiatric unit available regardless of a family’s ability to pay. At any given time, 50% of the CPC’s patients are from outside the Albuquerque area.
Moving into a single inpatient facility is expected to reduce patient safety incidents, provide a code compliant environment with modern elements, increase operational efficiency, and lower campus operating costs.
The needs of young patients across the state have grown in recent years and are expected to continue growing. Mauricio Tohen, MD, DrPH, MBA, Chair of the UNM School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, said the CPC has a responsibility to grow as well, to meet those needs.
“What’s more important than our children?” Tohen said. “They are our future, and unfortunately, many psychiatric conditions start early on. So, the sooner you address them, the better the outcome is going to be.”
Tohen said we are in a middle of an epidemic of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts and actions. Contributing factors include increased isolation during the COVID pandemic, and substance use disorders. The CPC is for patients who cannot function on their own and need to be in a hospital with observation, medication, group counseling, individual counseling, access to a variety of therapies, and even school.
In addition to improving inpatient care, Tohen said the upcoming changes to the CPC will allow providers to better care for outpatients as well.