Ochsner Behavioral Health Acadiana to provide new care options in the region
LAFAYETTE, La. (February 17, 2025) – Ochsner Lafayette General and Oceans Healthcare today announced the location of the partners’ new behavioral health hospital, Ochsner Behavioral Health Acadiana. The hospital, located at 310 Youngsville Highway, is currently under construction and will include inpatient services for adolescents, adults and geriatric patients, and outpatient treatment options.
Ochsner Behavioral Health Acadiana will become the largest behavioral health center in the region, significantly expanding behavioral health capacity for those experiencing mental health challenges and co-occurring substance use disorders. Construction is scheduled to be completed in early 2026 with an opening later that year.
“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. “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.”
Louisiana faces a shortage of mental health professionals, with approximately 3.4 million residents living in areas that lack adequate mental health options, according to Mental Health America. The addition of a new behavioral health hospital in one of the fastest-growing regions in the state will help expand access to a full range of behavioral health services. The new facility is designed to ensure patients receive care tailored to their specific needs, creating a dedicated environment for behavioral health treatment.
“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, Ochsner Lafayette General. “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.”
Oceans and Ochsner Lafayette General are strategically aligned with a dedication to community involvement, support for residency programs and continued evaluation of future health needs in the region. For more information about Ochsner Lafayette General, visit www.ochsner.org/Lafayette. Learn more about Oceans Healthcare at www.oceanshealthcare.com.
ABOUT OCEANS HEALTHCARE
Oceans Healthcare is a growing behavioral health provider focused on healing and long-term recovery. Founded in 2004, Oceans provides inpatient and outpatient treatment in 48 facilities under its family of hospitals – Oceans Behavioral Hospital and Haven Behavioral Hospital – across nine states. The company consistently achieves industry-leading performance metrics on national quality and safety measurements, as determined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and The Joint Commission. Oceans is an industry leader and is among very few behavioral health providers to implement a companywide electronic health records system. For more information, visit www.oceanshealthcare.com.
ABOUT OCHSNER LAFAYETTE GENERAL
Ochsner Lafayette General has more than 5,500 employees and serves 220,000 patients per year. The organization includes Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center (Ochsner LGMC); Ochsner Lafayette General Orthopedic Hospital; Ochsner Lafayette General Surgical Hospital; Ochsner St. Martin Hospital; Ochsner University Hospital & Clinics (Ochsner UHC); Ochsner Acadia General Hospital; Ochsner Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital; Ochsner American Legion Hospital; and several clinics, urgent cares and professional centers. Ochsner LGMC is the only Level II Trauma Center in Southwest Louisiana. Both Ochsner LGMC and Ochsner UHC are major teaching hospitals, providing graduate medical education across many disciplines. To learn more, visit Ochsner.org/Lafayette.