Georgia to build first new state psychiatric hospital in more than 50 years

Georgia is moving forward with plans to build its first new state psychiatric hospital in more than five decades, a project aimed at reducing the growing number of people in jail waiting for court-ordered mental health treatment.

According to the Georgia Recorder, lawmakers approved $409 million for a 300-bed forensic hospital that will be built near Georgia Regional Hospital in DeKalb County. The facility will serve people with mental illness or developmental disabilities who have been charged with crimes and ordered by a court to receive psychiatric treatment. More than 700 Georgians are currently waiting for placement in a state hospital, leaving many in county jails for months.

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Kevin Tanner said the additional beds are urgently needed to reduce the backlog and improve access to care.

The project comes as Georgia works to shorten wait times through a recent agreement with mental health advocates that requires faster evaluations and admissions for forensic patients.

Mental health advocates told the Georgia Recorder they support expanding treatment capacity but caution that increasing hospital beds should not come at the expense of community-based care. They argue continued investment in crisis centers, housing assistance and outpatient treatment is essential to helping people recover in the least restrictive setting possible.

State officials say the new hospital is one part of a broader effort to strengthen Georgia’s mental health system while expanding access to care across the state.