Kankakee's Riverside Medical Center Expands Mental Health Care

Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee is investing $28 million to revamp its behavioral health department. This two-year project aims to modernize and expand the facility, which currently serves around 60 patients. The hospital plans to keep the department running during construction. Funding for this project comes from various sources, including golf events and charity balls. The goal is to transform outdated double rooms into private ones, catering to adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients. This initiative is significant because many other hospitals are scaling back on mental health services. The last major update to this part of the hospital was in 1973. Currently, most rooms are shared, which limits one-on-one interactions between patients and staff. The new design will feature more open spaces, brighter colors, and a more comforting atmosphere. Hospital officials believe this project is crucial. They argue that mental health services are often overlooked, but Riverside is committed to providing them. The new environment will be more conducive to healing and communication, offering a stark contrast to the current stark brick walls.