Mental health facility in Imperial Valley breaks ground

Imperial County Behavioral Health Services broke ground on a new health facility that will help those with mental health and addiction issues.

The county’s new partnership with Alvarado Parkway Institute led to the construction of Jackson House El Centro.

The facility will provide short term residence and treatment for individuals dealing with mental health and addiction issues. The residential treatment center will include fifteen beds for patients looking to recover.

Patients will receive daily therapy, medication assistance, social, and interpersonal skills necessary to help patients transition back into the community.

Andrea Kuhlen, Director of Imperial County Behavioral Health, has been working with her team to bring this service to the valley. A service she said is needed in the community.

For years now, people who need these services are forced to look for treatment out of the county, Kuhlen said.

“Hopefully we can reduce the number of people that need to be hospitalized out of the county or the number of people who spend countless days waiting for an available bed out of the county,” said Kuhlen.

Kuhlen added that the Jackson House will bring more job opportunities to the Imperial County.

The grand opening of the Jackson House El Centro is scheduled for September 1, 2019.