The clinic will have 24 inpatient beds and over 24 staff members, including 10 registered nurses, 10 personal care assistants, one social worker and one activity therapist.
YRMC decided to construct the clinic following a community health needs assessment, which found a strong need for mental health services in the area, according to the news outlet. Patients in Yuma are currently transferred to behavioral health facilities in Tucson, Ariz., or Phoenix.
Bharat Magu, MD, chief medical officer of YRMC, told the publication the hospital hopes to create a pipeline of psychiatric training to ensure future workers.
The center is slated to open Feb. 6.