For the Reporter

MultiCare Health System expands its behavioral health offerings next week with the opening of a new psychiatric unit at its Auburn hospital.

The 20-bed inpatient unit opens Tuesday and will accept voluntary and involuntary patients ages 18 and older. It will be located on the third floor of the Cascade Tower at MultiCare Auburn Medical Center.

The new unit’s design features bright pastel colors, lots of windows and natural light, modern safety features, private single-bed rooms and open social areas.

Auburn Medical Center is already home to two geriatric psychiatric units, one for emotional wellness and the other for memory wellness, serving patients 60 and older.

“This new unit is part of our broader effort to expand behavioral health services in our region to better meet the needs of our community,” said Tim Holmes, oresident of the Behavioral Health at MultiCare Health System.

Washington state ranks near the lowest in the nation in terms of inpatient psychiatric capacity.

MultiCare also plans to open a 27-bed inpatient adolescent psychiatric unit at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital this fall.

Earlier this year, the Washington State Department of Health approved an application from MultiCare Health System and CHI Franciscan Health to jointly build and operate a $41 million, 120-bed not-for-profit psychiatric hospital in Tacoma. Construction of the hospital is slated to begin this year and be completed in 2018.

In addition to expanding inpatient behavioral health needs of our communities, MultiCare is also growing its outpatient behavioral health offerings to better support the needs of children, adults and families in the region.