Kansas state and Sedgwick County officials have officially broken ground on the South Central Regional Psychiatric Hospital in Wichita, launching a significant step forward in expanding mental health infrastructure across the region.

The $101.5 million facility, which will sit on a 77-acre behavioral health campus, will include 104 inpatient beds dedicated to adults experiencing a mental health crisis or requiring psychiatric competency evaluations to stand trial. According to The Wichita Eagle, the hospital is expected to be completed by fall 2026.

Designed to meet growing needs across the region, the hospital will help relieve pressure on the state’s existing facilities and reduce the number of individuals with mental illness being held in jails or emergency rooms due to lack of specialized care.

“This project reflects our commitment to making sure Kansans have access to the behavioral health care they need when and where they need it,” said Gov. Laura Kelly during the ceremony. “It’s a critical piece of the puzzle in building a more responsive and compassionate mental health system.”

The facility will operate as part of a larger behavioral health campus that could eventually support additional services, such as outpatient care, transitional housing, and mental health crisis intervention units. Officials say the site was chosen for its central location and proximity to Wichita’s health care infrastructure, helping to create a continuum of care.

“The goal is not just to build a hospital,” said Sedgwick County Commissioner Jim Howell. “It’s to build a full ecosystem where people can get long-term support. This is the beginning of something much larger.”

State and county leaders have emphasized the importance of investing in mental health resources following increased demand in recent years. The hospital is part of a broader initiative aimed at reducing psychiatric boarding in emergency rooms and delays in court proceedings due to mental health evaluations.

Once complete, the hospital will also create hundreds of jobs and establish partnerships with local universities for workforce training and clinical rotations.

“This is a transformative project for south-central Kansas,” added Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Secretary Laura Howard. “It will help restore lives, reconnect families, and ultimately save lives.”

The hospital is one of several being funded across the state to address mental health needs and modernize psychiatric care access. Stakeholders say they are optimistic about the long-term impacts the project will bring to Kansas communities.

Originally reported by Tracey Walker in Health Care Design.