Indiana Opens First New Psychiatric Hospital In Decades

Indiana’s first new psychiatric hospital in decades has opened in Indianapolis.  The NeuroDiagnostic Institute, or NDI will offer early diagnosis and advanced treatment to Hoosiers with serious psychiatric conditions.

The hospital has 159 beds, and 65 of them are dedicated to adolescents and children. Jennifer Walthall, Indiana Family and Social Services secretary, says care for young Hoosiers is greatly needed.

“We identified early on that we don’t have enough infrastructure to really evaluate kids and stabilize them in a way that meets their needs and gets them home,” says Walthall.

Patients will be referred to NDI through community mental health centers, other state hospitals and judicial partners.

Indiana announced the project in 2015.

“Many states are backing away from psychiatric care and we’re plowing forward,” says Walthall. “We think it’s a huge commitment and a real need that goes unmet that we can’t walk away from.”

The hospital will treat people with chronic mental illness, addictions, traumatic brain injuries and neurodegenerative illness.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch read a proclamation at a dedication ceremony.

“The NDI will use the most modern, genetic and imaging techniques. We will take advantage of the most recent advances in brain research and clinical care,” Crouch says.

The hospital has 65 beds dedicated to adolescents and children, and includes an autism center. It will also address addiction and traumatic brain injuries.

About 125 people in the state are currently on a wait list for psychiatric services.