By McKenna Harford, Castle Rock News-Press
Castle Rock has given the green light to transform a former assisted living center into a teen mental health care site
Amid some opposition from residents in the Metzler Ranch neighborhood, the Castle Rock town council voted 5-2 in favor of changes that make the project possible. Changes to zoning will allow for the repurposing of the former Graceful Senior Living facility to be used to treat youth experiencing mild to moderate mental health conditions. Before opening, the center still needs to finalize its Emergency Response Plan, a state permit and a town business license.
Sandstone Care, the organization that will operate the center, plans to care for up to 36 youth between the ages of 13 and 17 through a voluntary inpatient program to treat conditions like anxiety, depression, disassociation and compulsive behaviors. Patients will typically stay at the center 45-60 days.
“This is an investment in our collective wellbeing,” Sandstone representative Katie Coffman said.
The site will not treat youth with severe mental health conditions, such as active suicidal ideation, manic behavior or hallucinations. It also will be prohibited from serving youth who misuse substances or those with a criminal record of a sexual or violent nature.
There was some neighborhood opposition to the center. A few people raised concerns about crime and public safety risks.
In addressing the safety concerns, Coffman said Sandstone has never had a patient run away. If a patient were to run away, law enforcement and the patient’s emergency contact would be called.
The building’s security will include a video surveillance system that alerts staff to patients’ locations and patients will not be allowed to leave the building without an escort or guardian. Patients are only discharged into their guardian’s care, Coffman added. She said patients are not locked in to the building because the program is voluntary.
“Our whole program is based on positive reinforcement,” she said. “We start with kids that want to be there and help themselves. Our program helps them do just that. We’re not in the business of creating a negative environment that they want to run away from.”
Councilmember Desiree LaFleur, who initially voted against the plan, changed her vote to support it on second, and final, reading. LaFleur said she felt that Sandstone had adequately addressed safety concerns.
Council members Laura Cavey and Tim Dietz said they supported the idea, but not the location and opposed the zoning change. The remainder of the council expressed support for the program. Councilmember Max Brooks said the location is comparable to other Sandstone centers and the program would provide a needed service.
“We’ve got to stop with the stigma of mental health,” Brooks said. “We can’t just stick mental health or other facilities in the industrial areas because that’s what we’re comfortable with.”
Council members also shared personal experiences about their loved ones struggling with mental health and suicide. “If this helps one person not commit suicide it’s worth it,” Mayor Jason Gray said. “I can’t stand by and say no to a program that I think is needed in our community and will help our community.”
