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The Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters is set to open a new pediatric psychiatric hospital that officials say they hope will fill a critical care gap in Hampton Roads.
Mental health issues among children were on the rise even in the decade before the pandemic, WHRO previously reported, but COVID-19 worsened the situation. Mental health-related emergency room visits at CHKD have nearly doubled on average.
Hospital officials said it's currently difficult for parents anywhere in Virginia to find a place that offers both inpatient and wraparound services. The new Children's Pavilion is designed to be a hub of care including prevention and day programs, research, follow-up care and partial hospitalization.
The lobby of the CHKD Children’s Pavilion as seen September 28, 2022. The glass artwork comes from a Seattle-based artist who called it "A New Day."
The system spent nearly a quarter-billion dollars on the 14-story building, which is around the corner from the existing hospital within the Sentara complex in Norfolk.
It will assemble 400 doctors, researchers and academics from across the country “to transform the way mental health services are delivered to our children,” according to a news release.
"One of the things that was so important to us was to put this building in a place that would be a beacon for all of Hampton Roads," Amy Sampson, senior vice president for the hospital, said during a tour of the facility this week.
One of the private inpatient rooms at CHKD Children's Pavilion as seen September 28, 2022. Each room has two beds, one for the patient and one for a parent when appropriate.
Often mental health facilities are "hidden away" because of the stigma associated with receiving mental health treatment, she said.
"We wanted to break away those barriers to start start chipping away at the stigma that's associated with mental health treatment and put this beautiful building right in the heart of Norfolk with these incredible views."
Local officials plan to officially dedicate the building Friday, with a community open house to follow on Saturday.
The first inpatient psychiatric unit, with a dozen beds, opens October 11. More will follow until all 60 private rooms are open by mid-next year.
Here's a deeper look inside.
One of the private inpatient rooms at CHKD Children's Pavilion as seen September 28, 2022. A feature of the rooms is the ability for the pediatric patient to change the color of the overhead lighting to better suit their mood.
A family lounge near the inpatient psychiatric unit at the CHKD Children's Pavilion as seen September 28, 2022. Officials say they used natural light and vibrant colors throughout the building after consulting with people in the mental health industry. Such facilities are often associated with bland colors, flurorescent lighting and little exciting artwork.
An indoor gym for patients of the CHKD Children’s Pavilion as seen September 28, 2022.
An outdoor space for patients of the CHKD Children’s Pavilion as seen September 28, 2022. With sweeping views of Norfolk from the top 14th floor, it includes a basketball hoop, soccer equipment and a netted open ceiling above.
A recording studio for patients of the CHKD Children’s Pavilion as seen September 28, 2022. Why a music studio? Jack Warburton, vice president of mental health services, said music therapy has proven effective for children and adults in opening up about traumatic experiences. A room next door focuses on other arts.
The music therapy area of the CHKD Children’s Pavilion as seen September 28, 2022. The hospital will have several of these "wall nooks" where patients can curl up to read or get away from goings-on.
