RAPID CITY, S.D. (May 19, 2022) – Monument Health will contribute $1 million over four years to support the new Pennington County Crisis Stabilization Unit in Rapid City. The unit, currently under construction, will help individuals experiencing serious mental health crises.
The new Rapid City unit is a project of the West River Behavioral Health Alliance, formed in response to the high number of individuals requiring inpatient mental health care. The Alliance’s goal was to address the behavioral health needs of western South Dakota residents closer to home, where they can recover with support from family.
“Monument Health has been active in the West River Behavioral Health Alliance from the start, and we fully support the creation of this unit,” said Paulette Davidson, President and CEO of Monument Health.
The 14,000-square-foot Crisis Stabilization Unit will incorporate the Crisis Care Center, using
8 recliner-type chairs for stays of up to 24 hours and 16 beds for stays up to 5 days. For many patients, that’s enough time to allow them to recover from their crisis, go home and continue their care on an outpatient basis.
A year ago, the South Dakota Legislature allocated $4.2 million for the Rapid City center. Monument Health and other partners are raising the remaining funds for the $6.2 million public-private partnership. Partners include Behavior Management Systems, Monument Health, Pennington County, the City of Rapid City and eight other organizations.
Behavior Management Systems will handle the unit’s day-to-day operations. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. The unit will serve both Pennington County along with 10 surrounding counties in Western South Dakota.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Daly
Monument Health
ddaly@monument.health