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Atrium’s $340 million plan would add 168 behavioral health beds in Charlotte region
Atrium Health says it will spend $340 million over five years to expand behavioral health care, including a new hospital with 168 inpatient beds. The plan comes amid a statewide shortage of about 1,500 behavioral health beds and rising demand in local emergency departments.
Atrium Health plans to invest $340 million over five years to expand behavioral health services across the Charlotte region, including opening a new hospital expected to begin providing services in 2028.
The hospital will have 168 inpatient beds for children and adults. Atrium also plans day-hospital programs offering intensive treatment during daytime hours, with capacity equivalent to about 40 additional beds. The health system says it will renovate an existing building to open the services 12 to 18 months sooner than new construction would allow.
The investment comes as North Carolina faces an estimated shortage of 1,500 behavioral health beds. In the Charlotte area, behavioral health visits to emergency departments have risen 13% over six years, Atrium said. Adolescents made up 17% of those visits during that period; pediatric patients accounted for 26% of behavioral health emergency visits last year.
Beyond the hospital, the five-year initiative includes workforce development, expanded community-based services and added emergency and urgent care capacity. Atrium’s existing facilities in Davidson and Charlotte will remain access points for outpatient and crisis care.
Atrium said it has served as Mecklenburg County’s primary behavioral health safety-net provider for more than 40 years. The health system cited the region’s growth as a factor in increasing demand, saying more than 150 people move to the area on an average day.