Largest Behavioral Health Center in Louisiana’s Acadiana Region to Open in 2026
By Fay Harvey
LAFAYETTE, La. — Construction has commenced on Ochsner Behavioral Health Acadiana, the largest behavioral health center in Louisiana’s Acadiana region through a partnership between Ochsner Lafayette General, a New Orleans-based comprehensive healthcare provider, and Oceans Healthcare, a Plano, Texas-based behavioral health services provider.
The approximately $30 million project will bring a brand-new, 120-bed behavioral health center to the community. Aimed at providing tailored care to adolescent, adult and elderly patients, the center will provide both inpatient services and outpatient treatment options.
“Today marks a significant milestone for Oceans Healthcare and our partnership with Ochsner Lafayette General as we further our commitment to provide specialized behavioral healthcare and offer a lifeline of hope,” said Stuart Archer, CEO of Oceans Healthcare, in a statement. “The new Ochsner Behavioral Health Acadiana hospital represents our continued pledge to bring essential mental health services to communities that have too often been underserved.”
Plans for the facility were initially announced in 2022 at a time when the region was facing increased mental health challenges. In 2021, almost half of Louisiana adults reported facing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and more than 18% of residents said that they couldn’t access proper counseling and treatment, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
In 2023, 39.1% of adults in Louisiana reported symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorder, compared to the national average of 32.3%, according to KFF.org. These issues are exacerbated by Louisiana’s mental health professional shortage, with approximately 3.4 million residents living in areas that lack adequate mental health options.
Although the nearby Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center’s Level II Trauma Center is a resource for mental healthcare, it is also the region’s busiest facility due to its focus on acute care. With extended wait times and staffing shortages, the designated emergency facility is not an adequate setting for patients suffering from mental health challenges.
When built, the new Ochsner Behavioral Health Acadiana facility will relieve pressure on the rapidly growing region’s emergency department and alleviate the struggle in providing care, ensuring a wider range of services—from mental health care to substance abuse treatment—is readily available.
“This project follows years of careful consideration and collaboration, ensuring we are well-positioned to address a need in our community that continues to be one of the most pressing,” said Patrick W. Gandy Jr., CEO of Ochsner Lafayette General, in a statement. “Mental and behavioral health challenges emerged as a top priority in our recent Community Health Needs Assessment, with access to these critical services remaining limited for many in our region. With the construction of Ochsner Behavioral Health Acadiana, we are taking a decisive step to expand access to high-quality behavioral healthcare and provide hope for recovery and wellness.”
Construction is slated to conclude in the early months of 2026 with an opening scheduled for later in the year.