News – Sheridan Media
When it comes to tending to those undergoing a mental crisis, the Sheridan Memorial Hospital is trying to increase the appropriate level of care outside its emergency department.
Construction is already underway on the hospital’s new $8.1-plus million Behavioral Health and Crisis Stabilization Unit.
According to the hospital’s Project Overview released in March 2024, Wyoming ranks next to last in psychiatrists per capita in the USA (Idaho was the worst) and as a result, the Cowboy State also has one of the highest rates of adults with mild or moderate mental illness, who did not receive treatment.
Speaking at a recent groundbreaking ceremony, Hospital CEO Mike McCafferty says among the things the new unit is designed for, is to reduce the number of patients who have to leave the community for care, increase community education, as well as recruit and hire specialized psychiatric care staff.
“What we hope to do is address people’s needs in a way that makes sense for the person and their circumstances at the time. We’re going to have a front door that has an urgent care, that has outpatient services for well being for mental health. From there, we’re going to have a crisis area, if people are in crisis, rather than dealing with them in the emergency department that we’re dealing with them in a space that is comfortable and makes sense for them, in their situation.”
According to the project overview, the new unit is expected to begin caring for patients in either late 2026 or early 2027.
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Last modified: August 11, 2025