Construction begins on Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center

Construction on the 200-bed Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center has begun on a 54-acre site adjacent to the University of Texas Permian Basin’s Midland campus, according to construction firm Robins & Morton.

The $225 million project, being built on land donated by Diamondback Energy, is expected to be completed in late 2025. A formal groundbreaking ceremony was held in April.

The Midland County Hospital District and Ector County Hospital District will co-manage the Center via a shared entity. The Center will offer short and longterm treatment for psychiatric patients of all ages. It will include a crisis stabilization unit, outpatient center, state-of-the-art amenities, and a community education center.

“We look forward to delivering this facility and seeing its positive impact on residents and their families,” said Robins & Morton Division Manager Eric Groat.

The Center aims to fill a long standing void in mental health care and resources in the Permian Basin. Conversations about the the facility began about eight years ago and the need for mental health support only increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.

A broad coalition of community leaders is credited with moving the project forward, including hospital leaders in Midland and Odessa, state officials, as well as leaders from community foundations and the Permian Strategic Partnership, a coalition of 20 energy companies investing in initiatives aiming to improve quality of life in the Permian Basin.

“We have been truly inspired by the level of engagement and contribution from the Permian Basin community,” said Rachael Farrell, chair of Mental Health and Behavioral Design for HKS, which served as architect on the project. “Leaders across education, healthcare, and energy lines have all come to the table to support the behavioral health center.”