Longview Behavioral Health Launches New Adolescent Unit
New Wing at Longview Behavioral Health Campus Focuses on Adolescent Care
Longview Behavioral Health Campus, a county-funded facility located between Fort Collins and Loveland, is set to unveil its newest wing, specifically designed for adolescents. This new addition marks a significant step forward in providing targeted mental health services to young people aged 12 to 17.
According to Madeline Novey, communications coordinator for Larimer County Behavioral Health, the new wing is expected to open as early as next month. While the facility has always offered services for youth dealing with acute mental health crises—such as suicidal ideation, self-harm, substance abuse disorder, and withdrawal management—this will be the first time that Longview has a dedicated space for this specific age group.
The need for such a service is clear. A recent survey conducted by Healthy Kids Colorado found that 25% of high schoolers in Larimer County reported feeling extremely sad or hopeless nearly every day for at least two weeks, which led them to stop doing their usual activities. Additionally, 15.1% of students had intentionally hurt themselves without intending to die, and 31.9% knew a friend who had expressed thoughts of suicide. Nine percent of students even reported making a plan for how they would attempt suicide.
Although treating adolescents is not a new endeavor for Longview, only 9.6% of the campus’ clients since its opening in winter 2023 have been under 18 years old. The same statistics apply to potential substance abuse issues among young people. According to the Healthy Kids Colorado survey, 14.9% of high schoolers in Larimer County engaged in binge drinking, defined as consuming four or more drinks within a couple of hours in the month prior to being surveyed.
However, due to legal and ethical considerations regarding mixing adults and young people in treatment facilities, adolescent clients have previously been limited to same-day stays rather than overnight care. “People of all ages have been able to get care here through behavioral health urgent care since it opened,” Novey explained. “This isn’t the start of adolescent services; everyone has been able to come into behavioral health urgent care since that December 2023 opening. This is an expansion of the services to include overnight care.”
The new wing will add five beds to the facility, bringing the total to eight once it’s fully operational. But this is more than just about increasing capacity—it’s about creating a space tailored for younger clients. The design includes a sensory room for overstimulated youth, a small library area with age-appropriate reading materials, bean bag chairs, yoga mats, and other amenities aimed at engaging young people.
Wall art in the new wing was commissioned from young artists, reflecting the experiences of those who spend time in the facility. “In the design of the building, we wanted to make sure that we had a trauma-informed lens when it came to the colors on the wall, all the warm natural light, just to make it a more natural, calming environment,” said Cassie Damato, director of acute services for SummitStone Health Partners, the care provider that the county works with to operate the facility. “Inviting them in versus being closed off.”
Key Features of the New Wing
- Sensory Room: Designed to help overstimulated youth feel more comfortable and calm.
- Library Area: Stocked with age-appropriate reading material to encourage learning and relaxation.
- Yoga Mats and Bean Bag Chairs: Provide a relaxed and welcoming environment for young clients.
- Artwork: Commissioned from local youth artists, reflecting the experiences of those who use the facility.
This new wing represents a major step forward in addressing the unique mental health needs of adolescents in the region. By creating a space that is both functional and comforting, Longview Behavioral Health Campus is taking a proactive approach to supporting the well-being of young people in the community.
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