Understanding and Supporting Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health at Warfel
At Warfel Construction, we believe that a deep understanding of behavioral health is essential to our mission of providing exceptional service to our “Clients for Life.” As the need for behavioral health facilities continues to grow, we are committed to supporting our community and creating spaces that provide vital care to those facing the stigma surrounding mental health.
Leadership in Behavioral Health
Robert Allen, PE, CHC, our Director of Healthcare Construction, plays a key role in this mission. He recently shared his thoughts on a powerful article from the November/December 2023 edition of the Journal of Healthcare Management by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).
Insights from Robert Allen
In the latest edition of ACHE’s Journal of Healthcare Management (Volume 68, No. 6), an article titled “Banishing the Lifelong Harm of Childhood Trauma: A Treatable, Preventable Crisis” (pages 384-389) caught Allen’s attention. As a father, he resonated with the article’s focus on children, who are our most precious resource.
The article opens with a poignant quote from child psychologist Haim Ginott, Ph.D.: “Children are like wet cement… Whatever falls on them makes an impression.” It presents alarming statistics about children in the U.S. facing anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, alongside the stressors contributing to these issues. Tragically, many cases go untreated—not just due to a lack of accessible care, but also because fear and shame around mental illness often lead children to suffer in silence.
However, the article offers hope, asserting that “those damaging impressions do not have to be permanent.” It highlights the positive impact of well-designed school and family programs and discusses how health systems can help alleviate the child behavioral health crisis.
The Behavioral Health Crisis
The behavioral health crisis in the U.S. is pressing and has even been labeled an epidemic by authorities, including the U.S. Surgeon General. Millions of children and adolescents are in desperate need of help and a safe space for care.
Warfel Construction’s Dedication to Behavioral Health Solutions
Warfel Construction is dedicated to finding solutions for behavioral health in our community. In recent years, we have built over 500,000 square feet of facilities for behavioral health providers, providing more than 700 inpatient beds. These spaces offer both outpatient and inpatient care, including assessment, counseling, treatment, and clinical therapies.
One of our ongoing projects, the Southwood Psychiatric Hospital in Pittsburgh, exemplifies this commitment. The existing facility, which currently has 74 pediatric behavioral health beds, had to turn away 2,000 children last year due to insufficient patient rooms. In response, we are constructing a new three-story hospital on their campus, set for completion by July 2024. This new facility will provide 182 beds for children and adolescents needing inpatient psychiatric care, directly addressing the urgent demand for pediatric behavioral health services.
At Warfel Construction, we believe in building more than just structures. We are dedicated to creating a healthier future for our community and are proud to support child and adolescent behavioral health.
About Warfel Construction
Established in 1911, Warfel Construction provides general construction and construction management services to clients through Pennsylvania, Virginia, and surrounding states. Learn more about our healthcare portfolio.
