Oklahoma announces location for 330-bed mental hospital in Oklahoma City

Jack Money, The Oklahoman
Updated ·4 min read
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Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is building a new 330-bed mental health hospital on the campus of Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is building a new 330-bed mental health hospital on the campus of Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City.

A new 330-bed mental health hospital being built in Oklahoma City is expected to provide services to Oklahomans in their most vulnerable moments.

The new operation, to be built near the campus of Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City in 2026, will replace Griffin Memorial Hospital in Norman.

“This hospital is an investment, dedicated to the people of Oklahoma,” said Carrie Slatton-Hodges, commissioner of Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

“With the support from Gov. Kevin Stitt, the Oklahoma state Legislature and OSU, ODMHSAS will deliver quality, efficient and effective behavioral health treatment services. Our staff is dedicated to serving the people of Oklahoma for another 100 years.”

Once open, the facility will give law enforcement officers an alternative to consider whenever they take someone into custody who is having an apparent mental health crisis.

While various other options exist, Oklahoma County's jail remains a place people experiencing mental health issues are taken after being arrested.

Since opening in 1992, Oklahoma County's current jail has experienced numerous health and safety violations issued by state and federal authorities.

Even after control of the jail was assumed in July 2020 by a new Criminal Justice Authority, continued problems since made it one of the deadliest jails in the country. More than 40 detainees held at the jail have died in just three year's time, with at least nine of those classified as suicides.

Randy Tate, the CEO of NorthCare, told The Oklahoman earlier this year jails like Oklahoma County's sometimes end up warehousing people facing mental health issues because the state lacks available bed space for detainees at its hospital in Vinita.

"I'm hoping a relationship can take place to get people out of Oklahoma County's jail," he said.

Brian Maughan, chairman of Oklahoma County's Board of County Commissioners, welcomed the announcement of the new facility.

"This will help with current stresses we face at the jail ... relieve us of some of that burden," Maughan said.

Where will the new hospital in Oklahoma City be built?

The new hospital, named Donahue Behavioral Health, will be built on vacant land on the OSU-OKC campus between Reno and NW 10, east of Portland Avenue, officials announced Monday.

The location was selected based upon ease of access, community support and the opportunity to draw upon broader workforce development partnerships and support resources. Donahue Behavioral Health creates the opportunity to explore collaborative health programming opportunities with OSU-OKC, Slatton-Hodges said.

“Medical workforce challenges, particularly in the psychiatric field, are a significant barrier to treatment access nationwide,” she said.

“Oklahoma State University is committed to improving the mental health of all Oklahomans,” said OSU President Kayse Shrum. “The location of this new, modern facility will provide better access for Oklahomans and advance OSU’s 'one health' mission to serve the state and address our most pressing needs.”

How the new mental health hospital in OKC will be paid for

The new $147 million hospital is being paid for using federal fund allocations of $87 million by the Legislature and $1.5 million by Oklahoma's Board of County Commissioners, plus revenue the agency receives from selling the land where Griffin Memorial Hospital is at in Norman.

The city of Oklahoma City and several metro-area philanthropic organizations, including the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, the Kirkpatrick Family Fund and the Arnall Family Foundation, also are supporting the project.

“We have been located in Norman for over a century, and made our decision based on what is best for the people we serve and the state as a whole,” said Slatton-Hodges.

What services will be offered at Donahue Behavioral Health?

Donahue Behavioral Health will house the Griffin psychiatric residency program, established decades ago to help address a shortage of psychiatrists statewide, Slatton-Hodges said.

The 200,000-plus-square-foot facility will serve 275 adults and 55 adolescents daily, offering in-patient and acute illness care, as well as outpatient services, officials said.

Donahue Behavioral Health will offer mental health services to both adults and children, state officials say.
Donahue Behavioral Health will offer mental health services to both adults and children, state officials say.

It will increase the agency's operational treatment capacity statewide by 100 beds.

"This is what we hoped for when we allocated a share of our American Rescue Plan Act dollars towards this project," said Maughan.

More: Reaching the right help: After 988 lifeline went live, OKCPD responded to fewer mental health calls

Donahue Behavioral Health honors Dr. Hayden Donahue, who served as Oklahoma’s first director of mental health in 1953. He is credited for revolutionizing mental illness treatment in Oklahoma.

The Donahue campus is expected to add about 250 jobs to the local economy and will bring a five-year economic impact of $447.5 million through jobs creation, taxes and other benefits it brings, officials said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC to get a new mental health hospital, will open in 2026