Mon Health System’s affiliate Highland-Clarksburg Hospital (HCHI) in Clarksburg, West Virginia, has announced its plan to open an acute psychiatric unit for adults.

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice has provided a grant of $5.2m for the opening of the acute psychiatric unit.

Once the unit becomes operational, it will attend to patients from North Central West Virginia and the surrounding region, and provide treatments for emotional, behavioural, and cognitive disorders.

HCHI is yet to reveal the opening date of the acute psychiatric unit.

Governor Justice said: “Ensuring access to behavioural health services is a top priority in West Virginia, and so I'm extremely proud to provide this $5.2m grant to Highland-Clarksburg Hospital.

“This investment will make a significant difference in our state, allowing our people to receive vital care close to home and preventing involuntary commitments to far away facilities.

“I have faith in the Highland-Clarksburg team's ability to make this unit a shining star in North Central West Virginia.”

HCHI CEO Victoria Jones said: “It is vitally important that behavioural health services are provided in West Virginia, and we are thankful that through the Governor’s Office, we can step up and provide much needed support to our people.

“We expect that the opening of this unit will prevent involuntary commitment to behavioural health facilities and allow patients to stay in a familiar area for treatment.”

The opening of the adult voluntary unit will provide nearly 100 new positions for psychiatrists and nurses, as well as housekeeping and security staff.

Last month, HCHI also opened an acute adolescent psychiatric unit for patients aged 12 to 17 years.

HCHI is a 115- bed facility, offering acute, comprehensive psychiatric and substance abuse services to youth and adults.