For Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center, building a behavioral health pavilion was about more than expanding capacity — it was a critical step toward health equity. Prince George’s County, Maryland, with a population exceeding one million, had only two inpatient mental health facilities, forcing many residents to seek behavioral health services outside their community. Richmond emphasized the importance of offering accessible behavioral health services Prince George’s County residents could rely on close to home.
The new pavilion, opened in June, was supported by a $20 million grant from Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and the County Council. This investment demonstrates the county’s commitment to improving access to behavioral health care for its diverse population. Formed in 2019 from the merger of Anne Arundel Medical Center and Doctors Community Medical Center, Luminis Health serves a majority African American community with a staff of 900 employees and volunteers. The health system offers a range of services to patients with commercial insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare, focusing on expanding behavioral health services Prince George’s County needs.
Preventing Crisis through Expanded Behavioral Health Services
One pressing reason behind this expansion is to intervene before behavioral health needs escalate into crises. According to Alsobrooks, 70% of people arrested in the county correctional facility were under the influence of substances, and 30% have active behavioral health issues. By broadening behavioral health services Prince George’s County can access, Luminis Health aims to reduce these numbers and provide better support for residents struggling with mental health and substance use disorders.
Features of the New Behavioral Health Pavilion
The pavilion includes a two-story building with a 16-bed inpatient psychiatric unit set to open in December, as well as an eight-bed addiction residential service. Patients of all ages will benefit from the behavioral health urgent care center, which accepts walk-ins without appointments. An outpatient mental health center currently serving adults plans to expand to include children. The facility also offers psychiatric day treatment programs, including partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs for adults and adolescents. These comprehensive offerings exemplify Luminis Health’s dedication to accessible behavioral health services Prince George’s County residents can trust.
A Vision for Equitable Behavioral Health Care
Richmond said, “Our vision is to provide a broad mix of services so we can address people’s mental health and substance use needs prior to them getting into a crisis situation.” The pavilion is designed to meet those needs by making high-quality, culturally sensitive care more readily available.
Impact on the Community
The impact of expanding behavioral health services Prince George’s County is expected to be far-reaching. With improved access to inpatient and outpatient care, residents no longer need to leave their community for treatment. This expansion not only improves health outcomes but also promotes equity by serving a population that historically faced barriers to behavioral health care.
As Luminis Health continues to develop its programs, the pavilion will increasingly support the community by preventing crises and promoting recovery. With this initiative, the county is taking a major step forward in meeting the growing demand for behavioral health care Prince George’s County residents deserve.
Conclusion
The new behavioral health pavilion is a critical resource for Prince George’s County, reflecting a strong commitment to health equity and comprehensive care. By enhancing behavioral health services, Luminis Health is helping build a healthier future for the community it serves.
