Expansion allows vital mental health care to reach more people in Central Indiana

Indianapolis, September 12, 2019 – Eskenazi Health announced today that it has added an additional 10 inpatient beds devoted to mental health services at the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital. This represents a 50 percent increase from 20 to 30 inpatient beds in the hospital’s Kathi & Bob Postlethwait Mental Health Recovery Center. In total the hospital has 327 inpatient beds.

“One of the most important things we can do at this moment is to address the growing crisis in mental health, drawing deeply on the work that we’ve committed to for decades here at Eskenazi Health,” said Dr. Lisa Harris, chief executive officer of Eskenazi Health. "Today’s announcement is a result of a need in our community for additional resources for those with serious mental illness who need care in a safe and restorative healing environment.”

The Kathi & Bob Postlethwait Mental Health Recovery Center is an inpatient facility for individuals with serious mental illness who require the safest possible environment for their recovery. Located in the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, the center is part of the Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center, a division of Eskenazi Health.

“The Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center offers an array of services to care for individuals depending on their specific needs," said Dr. Ashley Overley, chief executive officer of the Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center. "Expanding our inpatient services allows us to care for more individuals with serious mental illness."

In 2018 alone, there were more than 500,000 mental health related visits to Eskenazi Health, including 943 inpatient psychiatric admissions. These numbers represent the highest since the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital opened in December 2013. In addition, 26,636 individuals in Marion County were treated for mental health or substance abuse at Eskenazi Health and 2,231 were specifically treated for addiction.

The inpatient staff is made up of a multidisciplinary team that includes psychiatrists, medical students and residents of the Indiana University School of Medicine, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and occupational therapists. Team members meet regularly to discuss each patient’s care and individual needs, encouraging independence and self-care whenever possible.

The ultimate goal is to return patients to their homes and communities as soon as appropriate. Outpatient case managers work with patients on making that transition by arranging continuing care and support after discharge.

The Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center is Indiana's first community mental health center and provides comprehensive care for all types of emotional and behavioral problems, including severe mental illness and substance abuse. The center offers both inpatient and outpatient services in multiple locations throughout the city.

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CONTACT: Todd Harper
Phone: 317.880.4785
Cell: 317.402.9327
Email: todd.harper@eskenazihealth.edu