Oklahoma Children's Opens $140M Behavioral Health Center
The center combines inpatient and outpatient mental health services for children in one location, with outpatient referrals beginning December 7.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Mental Health
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Oklahoma Children's celebrated the grand opening of its $140 million behavioral health center. The facility offers inpatient and outpatient mental health services in one location and has 72 inpatient beds.
Why it matters
The center was built to address the growing mental health crisis among children, where suicide is the second leading cause of death and one in five children struggles with a mental health condition. For families across Oklahoma, it adds a consolidated option for children's mental health care.
The center's outpatient programs are projected to serve 14,000 children annually, with 72 inpatient beds available. Outcome data and actual patient volumes have not yet been reported.
The players
Oklahoma Children's
Oklahoma Children's is a pediatric health system based in Oklahoma that operates hospitals and specialty care programs for children.
The details
The $140 million center, which broke ground in 2023, includes a two-story gymnasium and outdoor therapy areas. Treatment plans are tailored to each child, with families involved throughout, and the center provides pet therapy, art therapy, and movement-based therapy.
Timeline
Construction on the center broke ground in 2023.
The grand opening celebration was held November 4, 2026.
The center begins accepting outpatient referrals December 7.
Roadmap
The center extends Oklahoma's existing pediatric mental health infrastructure by consolidating inpatient and outpatient care into a single campus. It responds to a national rise in childhood mental health conditions, with one in five children now struggling with a diagnosable condition.
Families of children needing mental health care in Oklahoma now have a single location offering both inpatient and outpatient services. Outpatient referrals begin December 7, and the center's programs include pet, art, and movement-based therapy.
The takeaway
Families seeking children's mental health care in Oklahoma can now access inpatient and outpatient services in one location, and outpatient referrals open December 7.
Further reading
Explore more on Mental Health coverage across Oklahoma.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KOCO.
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