St. Paul, MN – Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital opened its doors today, aiming to address Minnesota‘s critical shortage of mental health beds despite past controversy surrounding its approval and concerns about the patient population it will serve. The new 144-bed standalone psychiatric hospital, located two blocks north of the State Capitol on the former Bethesda Hospital site, will specialize in geriatrics, mood disorders, thought disorders, and co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders.
The hospital’s opening comes as inpatient psychiatric units have closed in Cambridge, Litchfield, Staples, and Fergus Falls, and following a statewide reassessment of mental health resources prompted by recent shootings, including the one at Annunciation Catholic Church and School. Capitol Park is intended to partially offset closures at Fairview’s st.Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul and a psychiatric unit at Southdale Hospital in Edina.However, the project faced significant scrutiny. The Minnesota Department of Health greenlighted construction in 2022 but expressed “significant concerns” that Capitol Park would primarily treat low-acuity patients, potentially burdening other hospitals with more complex and costly cases.
Even groups advocating for mental health access initially voiced reservations. The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota didn’t support the hospital proposal in 2022, but acknowledged the need for increased capacity. “Hopefully it will help. We do need more beds. there’s no question about that,” a representative stated at the time.The hospital will open in phases as it completes federally required inspections and accreditation and hires staff. The five-story building features natural light, wide spaces, an indoor gymnasium, and an outdoor recreation area, with treatment spaces designed to include family members when appropriate.
“Being able to offer a state-of-the-art, brand-new facility that is designed with the patients in mind is something that is a true joy,” said Rachael Flohrs, Capitol Park’s chief executive.
