The Bradley Free Clinic broke ground on a new 1,900-foot expansion to serve the community’s behavioral health needs. The Robertson Behavioral Health Wing will include six counseling rooms and group counseling spaces built on the existing facility.
While fundraising has been very successful, materials costs have increased the cost of the new facility. As a result, the Clinic is seeking $200,000 in additional funding to complete the new facility.
“We could have delayed the construction to seek additional donations, but there is such a critical need for these services now,” said Executive Director Janine Underwood. “We are certain the community will support the Clinic as we face this financial shortfall.”
According to the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five Americans has a mental illness, and only 40% of those receive treatment. In addition, Carilion’s 2018 Community Health Assessment of the Roanoke Valley identified access to mental health and substance use disorder as the third-highest health priority facing our community.
Over the last eighteen months, Bradley Free Clinic has experienced exponential growth in demand for behavioral health services. Unfortunately, the stresses and isolation of the COVID pandemic have had a negative impact on Bradley’s patient population. As a result, Bradley’s behavioral health program has grown by 300% in the last year. In 2019, BFC had about 25 appointments each month. Today, it is not unusual for the Clinic to see 36 patients in a single day. In addition, new patient registrations have doubled over the last year.
Community leaders took part in the groundbreaking, including representatives from lead donors. The William & Margaret Robertson Family Fund, The City of Roanoke, Virginia Health Care Foundation, The Roanoke Women’s Foundation, The Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, and the Beirne Carter Foundation have made significant donations to the new Behavioral Health Wing.
The Robertson Behavioral Health Wing is scheduled to be complete during the first quarter of 2022.
To learn more or contribute to the project, see www.bradleyfreeclinic.com.