As part of its commitment to advancing the goals of Vital Spartanburg, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System opened a new Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit, expanding access to critical inpatient mental health services for young people across the region. 

The new 11-bed unit at Spartanburg Medical Center – Mary Black Campus will care for young patients experiencing behavioral health crises that require inpatient treatment. The unit will be staffed by a multidisciplinary team, including child- and adolescent-trained psychiatrists, and is designed to help stabilize patients before connecting them with ongoing outpatient and community-based support services. 

"Vital Spartanburg challenged our community to work together to improve behavioral health outcomes," said Phil Feisal, chief operating officer – Hospital Group, Spartanburg Regional. "This new unit represents Spartanburg Regional's commitment to that vision. By expanding access to inpatient psychiatric care close to home, we are investing in healthier futures for young people and strengthening the systems of care that support them." 

“When we care for an adolescent, we have the opportunity to impact an entire family,” said Dr. John Mauch, medical director of inpatient services, behavioral health. “By helping young people build healthier, more resilient futures, we can change lives across generations and strengthen the communities we serve.” 

The unit addresses a significant regional need as many adolescents requiring inpatient psychiatric care have historically been transferred outside the immediate service area. In addition to serving Spartanburg County, the program will support patients from Cherokee and Union counties, helping more families receive care closer to home. 

“Too often, families in our region have had to travel long distances to find inpatient behavioral health care for their children,” said Chanda Flynn, RN, MSN, system director of behavioral health services. “By bringing these services closer to home, we are expanding access to mental health treatment and strengthening support for youth and families across our community.” 

The new unit is an important component of ongoing community efforts to improve access to mental health care and support healthier outcomes for children and families in the Upstate. In June, several nonprofits, philanthropists, municipalities and healthcare organizations launched Vital Spartanburg to create a comprehensive strategy for addressing mental health issues. The initiative focuses on breaking down silos, strengthening systems and coordinating care efforts across the community. The new unit represents a significant investment in the priorities identified through Vital Spartanburg. As a founding healthcare partner, Spartanburg Regional is committed to helping build a more connected system of care that improves access, removes barriers to treatment and supports healthier outcomes for children, adolescents, families and adults.

To learn more about Vital Spartanburg, visit www.vitalspartanburg.org.