Independence Health System Unveils $5.3 Million Renovated Behavioral Health Unit for Youth at Latrobe Hospital

The updates were supported by grant funding from Southwest Behavioral Health Management Inc.

LATROBE, Pa., Oct. 1, 2025 — Independence Health System today announced the completion of extensive renovations to the Inpatient Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit at Latrobe Hospital. Designed to provide a safe and therapeutic environment for patients aged 18 and younger, the upgraded unit now offers expanded capacity and enhanced features to support specialized inpatient behavioral healthcare.

The renovation project was made possible through a $5.3 million grant from Southwest Behavioral Health Management Inc. which began in spring 2023 and focused on transforming the former 4 South Med-Surg Unit into a modern, healing-centered space for youth. In addition, the project received support from the Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation (LAHCF), further demonstrating the shared commitment to expanding access to behavioral health services in the region.

Key updates include:

• Expansion from 11 to 24 private, ADA-accessible rooms
• Anti-ligature fixtures to enhance patient safety
• Updated flooring, lighting, wall finishes and furniture
• Upgraded plumbing, electrical systems and security features
• Dedicated spaces for age-appropriate group therapy
• Enhanced staff areas designed to support employee wellness and comfort

“This renovation represents more than just bricks and mortar — it’s a reflection of our unwavering commitment to the mental health and well-being of our community’s youth,” said Brian Fritz, president of Frick. Latrobe and Westmoreland hospitals. “We’ve created a space that is not only therapeutic and thoughtfully designed but one that fosters dignity, healing and hope — all supported by a team of expert caregivers dedicated to guiding children and adolescents through some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives. This project would not have been possible without the generous grant funding from Southwest Behavioral Health Management Inc. and the LAHCF, whose support has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life.”

The Latrobe Hospital Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit provides 24/7 care and therapy for youth experiencing severe emotional or behavioral health challenges, such as depression, anxiety, trauma or intense anger that cannot be safely managed at home or in outpatient settings. The program’s multidisciplinary team delivers comprehensive, compassionate care in a structured environment focused on stabilization and long-term emotional wellness.

“This renovated unit is more than a physical transformation — it’s a vital investment in the mental health of our youth,” said Michael Blastos, MD, Department Chair of Psychiatry at Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals. “Every element of the redesign — from the private rooms to the therapeutic spaces — was thoughtfully created to promote safety, healing, and dignity. Our team is proud to provide care in an environment that truly supports the emotional and psychological needs of children and adolescents during their most vulnerable times.”

To celebrate the completion of the project, Independence Health System hosted an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by local dignitaries, community leaders, representatives from Southwest Behavioral Health Management Inc., Mental Health America, and human services organizations, as well as hospital leadership, providers, staff and project vendors — including IKM Architecture, FMRW Engineering, and ARTech Group LLC —highlighting the collaborative effort that made the renovation possible and the strong support from the region’s mental health services community.

This renovation is part of Independence Health System’s broader commitment to behavioral health, which includes outpatient counseling, substance use treatment, and crisis intervention services. For more information about Independence Health System’s behavioral health services, visit www.independence.health and search for “Behavioral Health” under the Services tab.

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Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 7,000 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than 10 counties. 

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health