A new report recommends adding 30 new hospital beds in southern New Mexico for adults with severe mental illness.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports the study recommends partnering with a provider to take such patients while a new $15.5 million public facility is built Dona Ana County.
Currently, when district judges order involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations, patients are sent to a state-run hospital four hours away. The report says that puts a burden on local agencies responsible for transporting the patients and isn't ideal for patients or their families.
Mental health advocate Ron Gurley says he supports a building a mental health hospital as long as it's run by the state.
The study was conducted by the New Heights Group for Dona Ana County government.
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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com
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