Louisiana Behavioral Health, a partnership between Ochsner LSU Health and Oceans Healthcare established in 2021, continues to expand services to meet rising demand for mental health treatment across the state.
The Shreveport hospital, managed by Oceans Healthcare, includes an 89-bed inpatient unit with specialized areas for adolescents ages 13 to 17, adults ages 55 and up, and general adult populations. Ochsner LSU Health physicians provide treatment and clinical guidance across all programs. The facility offers a full continuum of care including crisis stabilization, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programming.
The hospital treats a wide range of mental health conditions that vary by age group. Adolescents frequently present with self-harming behaviors and acute suicidal behaviors. Geriatric patients often display early stages of dementia or moderate dementia with personality changes or psychosis. In the general adult population, substance use disorders are prevalent, often occurring alongside depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorders. Patients undergo assessment by registered nurses who evaluate physical health concerns, signs of abuse or neglect, and mental health history, followed by psychiatric evaluation and individualized treatment planning.
Most utilized services include medication management, group therapy, and family involvement to address ongoing conflicts. Treatment incorporates recreational therapy that integrates patients’ hobbies and interests into discharge planning using best practices for community transitions.
Although opened only three years ago, Louisiana Behavioral Health has expanded continuously to fill gaps in mental health resources and reduce strain on emergency departments. The hospital accepts insurance and functions as a Medicaid application site, ensuring patients have access to ongoing outpatient care for long-term stability. According to clinical directors, the post-pandemic period saw a significant spike in depression, isolation, and anxiety, with increases continuing as mental health services gained broader acceptance and recognition nationwide.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.shreveportbossieradvocate.com/sponsored/ochsner_lsu_health/louisiana-behavioral-health-continues-to-meet-large-demands-for-mental-health-services-with-inpatient-and/article_ee0561a6-97d0-11ef-8ae3-23765ca4610d.html