Los Angeles-based Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center touches almost every aspect of behavioral healthcare — and has plans to do more.
The organization, founded in 1953, provides care to children and adults in inpatient and outpatient settings at nine sites in Southern California. The system provides care for individuals involved in the criminal justice system and for homeless individuals.
In 2023, Gateways received $19.2 million from California to expand behavioral services for adolescents at its Echo Park campus. The mental health provider also received $38 million to build a drug and alcohol treatment center, Phil Wong, PsyD, CEO of Gateways, told Becker's.
"I think one of the unique things about Gateways is a continuum of care from being on the street, into housing, into long-term housing, from 6 years old to 59 years old," Dr. Wong said. "This continuum of care we have built over the years touches every aspect of mental illness, every level."
The decision to expand services in these areas came after a community benefit assessment and discussions with patients and the community.
"I've always said that we don't do a good enough job as a society in preventing and providing services for young people earlier," Dr. Wong said. "Young people have smaller problems. As they get to adulthood, they have bigger problems, so we've got to do a better job at providing education and treatment and preventive services."
In June, Gateways named John Calderone, PhD, chair of the hospital's board. He was CEO of Olympia Medical Center in Los Angeles from 2006 to 2015.
"With these two major expansions, almost doubling the hospital, adding 125 beds — that's our priority right now, is to get these off the ground," Dr. Calderone told Becker's.
In addition to improving youth mental health and curbing substance use, Gateways is focused on providing housing support and mental health treatment to individuals experiencing homelessness. In Los Angeles County, more than 70,000 people were homeless in January 2023, according to the federal government's "Annual Homeless Assessment Report."
Partnerships are key to addressing patients' social and health needs, Dr. Wong said. Gateways partners with community organizations to provide housing to patients in need.
"Historically, I think partnering with other agencies has never been seen as a positive because we look at each other as competition. My philosophy at Gateways has been just the opposite," Dr. Wong said. "I believe partnering is important because there are a lot of needs within the city of Los Angeles and this county. Not every single person can do one thing for all."
Both Dr. Calderone and Dr. Wong said the stigma around seeking mental healthcare is lessening, especially among younger people. Providing quality care that patients promote is key, Dr. Calderone said.
"Quality is everything," he said. "If we're going to make a dent in the stigma around mental health, people have to have a good experience, whether it's inpatient, residential outpatient — people have to be comfortable with that."