July 31, 2025

A Comprehensive Blueprint for Behavioral Health Transformation

By ADAM SMITH and MARK RONISH
BnBuilders

Smith

Ronish

The increasing demand for comprehensive behavioral health services across the United States necessitates a reevaluation of the modalities and environments in which such care is provided. For many years, the treatment of behavioral health issues has been marginalized, often existing outside the main framework of the medical system. This has typically resulted in a separation from general hospitals and other healthcare providers.

However, this paradigm is shifting with innovative facility designs that aim to integrate treatment, housing, and supportive services into a unified and accessible environment. This transformative approach not only streamlines care but enhances the overall experience for clients.

A prime example of this emerging model is evident in Everett, where Compass Health is currently constructing the innovative Marc Healing Center. Spanning an impressive 70,000 square feet, this facility is meticulously designed to encompass the complete spectrum of behavioral health care. Although still under construction, early designs indicate a significant departure from traditional care models, focusing on seamless integration, accessibility, and purpose-built settings tailored to client needs.

A SYSTEM UNDER STRAIN

On Everett’s Broadway Avenue, The Marc Healing Center will offer outpatient and inpatient services, a pharmacy, and sobering care.

Behavioral health crises have consistently placed immense pressure on emergency rooms, law enforcement, and first responders. While these professionals are essential to public health and safety, they frequently lack the specialized training necessary to address complex mental health or substance use problems effectively. Consequently, individuals facing crises often find themselves in jail or stuck waiting in emergency departments for hours, sometimes with no behavioral health provider available.

This disconnect in appropriate care not only results in delays but also adds considerable strain to already overwhelmed healthcare and legal systems. In contrast, specialized treatment centers provide timely and more suitable responses. At these facilities, clients can quickly be assessed by trained behavioral health experts, directing them to the specific services they require. This leads to quicker, more effective treatment and an overall enhanced experience for both clients and providers alike.

COMPLEX CARE REQUIRES COMPLEX FUNDING

A major hurdle within behavioral health systems is the fragmentation of services, often dictated by the varying funding sources available. Programs may secure financing from multiple streams, such as Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, or local grants, and these financial limitations frequently dictate whom may be treated, the duration of services, and the types of settings available.

This fragmentation can lead to facilities specializing solely in one demographic, such as only serving adults or children. Some may provide inpatient care but lack outpatient counseling services, or may not cater to the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness or requiring short-term sobering care. As a result, clients may be forced to navigate multiple locations to obtain necessary care, compounding their already difficult circumstances.

Efforts to co-locate these fragmented services are becoming increasingly common, as facilities work to dismantle these barriers. For instance, at the Marc Healing Center, a multifaceted approach is utilized, bringing together various types of care—including outpatient and inpatient services, alongside a pharmacy and sobering facilities—under one roof.

This comprehensive design is part of Compass Health’s ambitious three-phase Broadway Campus Redevelopment initiative. Located adjacent to the initial phase, Andy’s Place offers 82 units of permanent supportive housing for individuals previously experiencing homelessness and dealing with chronic behavioral health conditions. Upon completion, Phase III will expand the available continuum of care by integrating behavioral health services with a primary care clinic, facilitating smoother transitions between levels of care.

DESIGNING FOR A CONTINUUM OF CARE

The Marc Healing Center (left) is located next to Andy’s Place, providing 82 units of permanent supportive housing to those facing chronic behavioral health challenges.

Creating facilities that cater to the entire continuum of behavioral health care involves overcoming unique design challenges. These structures must accommodate a diverse array of services and needs while fostering a safe, dignified, and therapeutic environment.

Inpatient units require special features, including anti-ligature design elements, abundant natural light, and access to outdoor spaces, all conducive to calmness and recovery. Construction prioritizes durability, using maintenance-friendly materials that mitigate potential hazards.

Outpatient consultation areas must be equally well-thought-out. These spaces not only need to ensure safety and security but also enhance patient comfort and privacy. Moreover, most outpatient facilities are staffed continuously, allowing them to manage risks mainly through trained personnel rather than relying solely on physical design elements.

Additional design considerations include:

• Secure ambulance drop-off areas, which help maintain patient confidentiality and minimize community visibility during intake procedures.
• Community and staff spaces, such as lounges and group rooms, to encourage interactions among clients while also promoting staff well-being.
• Integrated pharmacy services, simplifying the initiation of medication and allowing for more consistent treatments.
• Short-term sobering centers, devoted to addressing acute distress without necessitating full inpatient admissions, often fitted with reclining chairs for stays that are under 24 hours.

Supportive housing facilities are also crucial in many new behavioral health initiatives. Without stable housing, clients who complete treatment risk falling back into crisis. By providing housing solutions in close proximity to care facilities, clients are more likely to achieve sustained stability, which in turn reduces the likelihood of returning to emergency services.

LOOKING AHEAD

The future landscape of behavioral health care will inherently depend on improved integration of services and facilities specifically designed to address the comprehensive needs of clients, providers, and communities alike. Projects such as the Marc Healing Center exemplify how thoughtful designs can mitigate fragmentation, enhance response times, and deliver compassionate and suitable care.

While this transformative work is in progress, valuable lessons are already emerging. It is increasingly apparent that behavioral health treatment cannot remain an ancillary aspect of our healthcare infrastructure; instead, it demands dedicated spaces alongside trained professionals, equipped with responsive systems that can urgently cater to individuals in need.

As public funding begins to increasingly support holistic care approaches, the demand for well-designed, full-service behavioral health campuses is expected to continue its upward trajectory.

In navigating these complexities, the AI legalese decoder can play an invaluable role. By simplifying intricate regulations and legal jargon related to the creation and operation of behavioral health facilities, this AI tool ensures that stakeholders—from facility operators to policymakers—can easily understand compliance requirements and funding stipulations. This clarity not only aids in securing necessary funding but also establishes a foundation for efficient operations, thereby supporting the successful implementation of integrative behavioral health services.

Adam Smith is a Senior Project Manager at BNBuilders, boasting 22 years of experience in overseeing complex behavioral health, life sciences, and technology projects. Mark Ronish is a project executive with BNBuilders, managing diverse projects across K-12, tech, behavioral healthcare, and affordable housing, while playing an instrumental role in the company’s regional leadership team.