Newswise — LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 31, 2024) – Community and state leaders joined UK HealthCare officials on July 30 to celebrate the opening of a new emergency unit dedicated to the treatment of patients experiencing a mental health crisis. The unit, known as EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment and Healing), is the first EmPATH unit in Kentucky.
The UK HealthCare EmPATH Psychiatric Unit opened July 30 on the campus of Eastern State Hospital. “Improving access to mental health care is one of the most important steps we can take to create a healthier state for all our families,” said Rocky Adkins, senior advisor to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
“The EmPATH unit will be a critical resource for the citizens of Central Kentucky, and I applaud UK HealthCare, New Vista, and Eastern State Hospital for working together to bring it to the Commonwealth.” Currently, there are only about 30 EmPATH units in the U.S.
UK HealthCare and New Vista have collaborated with leadership from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to bring this new model of emergency behavioral health care to Kentucky. “The EmPATH model is a game-changer for mental health care, and we are so proud to be the first in the state to open this unit,” said Robert S. DiPaola, M.
D., University of Kentucky co-executive vice president for health affairs. “For many, seeking care for a mental health issue can be difficult, frustrating and even frightening.
With EmPATH, we’re using a proven, ev.