Burrell breaks ground on behavioral health project in north Springfield

Burrell Behavioral Health broke ground Monday on a multimillion-dollar behavioral health facility in north Springfield.

The first-of-its-kind project, called the Youth Resiliency Campus, is designed to include a 24/7 youth behavioral crisis center, outpatient programs, partial hospitalization and a long-term youth residential facility, according to a news release.

“Suicide rates, depression and anxiety are on the rise. And together we have an opportunity as a community to make a difference addressing each of those concerns," said C.J. Davis, CEO of Brightli, Burrell’s parent company, in the release.

The project is planned at 2828 N. National Ave., just south of Perimeter Behavioral Hospital.

The first phase of the Youth Resiliency Campus is funded by a $5.3 million American Recovery Plan Act allocation from Greene County and $1 million from the Missouri Department of Mental Health. The residential portion is funded by $5 million allocated in the state budget and administered through DMH.

Greene County Presiding Commissioner Bob Dixon and Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe were among those in attendance at the event.

"We knew that we needed to address the needs of youth," Dixon said in the release. "What we're doing today will be a point of hope for countless youth in our county, but much bigger than that – in our region.”

The crisis center and residential facility are expected to take up to 24 months to build apiece, according to the release.