State leaders joined with officials fromStarCare Specialty Health System for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Sept. 30, to celebrate the expanded Sunrise Canyon Hospital and the Hope Center in East Lubbock.
These two facilities, presented by StarCare, are additions to the crisis behavioral health care offerings in Lubbock and West Texas. The new facilities, at 1905 Aspen Ave., will expand access to inpatient psychiatric care, crisis stabilization services, and coordinated behavioral health services.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth said Sunrise Canyon Hospital and Hope Center are significant parts of the state’s investment in inpatient behavioral health care.
“I have not seen such significant
investments in behavioral health, and the changes that are coming across the state are so important. This is just one example of that,” said Muth.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who also spoke at the ceremony, said there was a need for more mental and behavioral health services, particularly in Lubbock. Over $2.5 billion was put into behavioral health care, $3 billion into cancer research, and $3 billion into Alzheimer's research and care, according to Patrick.
The new facility is part of a wider Texas initiative to expand inpatient health care. Patrick and State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, supported the project, which doubled the number of beds at Sunrise Canyon Hospital from 30 to 60.
“The building is just the building, but it is the people inside it that make it meaningful,” said Patrick.
Perry said the behavioral center's services could give families hope by allowing them a place to recover, regain stability, and return to their daily lives.
“This is a good day for families to know that mom or dad has got an opportunity to get back on their feet, show up for work, and be productive again,” Perry said.
The expansion of Sunrise Canyon Hospital and the Hope Center is expected to provide additional behavioral health resources for Lubbock and surrounding West Texas communities.
About new StarCare Specialty Health System facilities in Lubbock
The newly expanded Sunrise Canyon Hospital doubles StarCare’s inpatient psychiatric capacity from 30 to 60 beds, according to a news release. The hospital provides inpatient psychiatric services in a modern treatment environment designed to promote safety, dignity, recovery, and long-term wellness. The additional capacity will increase access to treatment for individuals experiencing psychiatric crises and reduce the need for individuals and families to travel far from home for inpatient psychiatric care.
The Hope Center provides an alternative setting for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises who may not require hospitalization but need immediate assessment, stabilization, and connection to appropriate services. By offering another point of access within the regional continuum of care, the Hope Center will help connect individuals with the right level of care at the right time.
The expansion of Sunrise Canyon Hospital was made possible through substantial investment by the State of Texas, including legislative appropriations specifically dedicated to expanding inpatient psychiatric capacity. Funding for the Hope Center was provided by the City of Lubbock and Lubbock County, reflecting a shared state and local commitment to strengthening behavioral health services in Lubbock and across West Texas.
Hailey Stromberg is a reporting intern for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal in Texas. Have a news tip for her? Email our newsroom at newmedia@lubbockonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: StarCare unveils Sunrise Canyon Hospital, Hope Center expansion
