Groundbreaking set for Stephen M. Morris Behavioral Health Center
Published on November 15, 2024
Cabarrus County will officially break ground on the highly anticipated Stephen M. Morris Behavioral Health Center on Wednesday, November 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 1000 Progress Place in Concord.
The groundbreaking ceremony marks a pivotal milestone in the County’s commitment to improving access to behavioral health services.
The new 59,300-square-foot facility will serve as a cornerstone for mental health and wellness in the region, offering a comprehensive continuum of care for all ages. Services will include a behavioral health urgent care center for children and adults, a child and adolescent psychiatric residential treatment facility and a facility-based crisis program for children and adolescents.
NC Sen. Paul Newton and NC Rep. Kristin Baker helped secure a $32.5 million state grant for facility construction. The center is named for Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners Chair Steve Morris, a longtime champion for access to mental health services in the community.
The center will provide critical, community-based services aimed at addressing the growing demand for mental health care in the region, reducing wait times, improving accessibility and enhancing patient outcomes.
Speakers scheduled for the event include:
- Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners Chair Steve Morris
- Cabarrus County Assistant County Manager Dr. Aalece Pugh
- Cabarrus County Behavioral Health Director Dr. Kamilah McKissick
- NC State Rep. Kristin Baker, M.D.
- NC DHHS representative Kelly Crosbie
- human eXperience Principal Architect Kevin Turner
- Messer Construction Project Executive Jason Harris
- Monarch President and CEO Peggy S. Terhune
- Mental Health America Storyteller Jim Love
This center will be operated by Monarch, a leading provider of behavioral health services in North Carolina. Monarch will staff the facility with a team of program directors, specialists, nurses, therapists, teachers and culinary staff to ensure patients receive the highest quality of care.
The center will be equipped with modern, welcoming spaces designed to provide a safe and supportive environment.
The groundbreaking ceremony is the culmination of years of planning and collaboration. The Cabarrus County Behavioral Health Department, in partnership with local organizations such as the Cabarrus Health Alliance and Daymark Recovery Services, has been at the forefront of addressing mental health needs in the region.
The facility was designed by human eXperience, a Charlotte-based architectural firm. Messer Construction will build the center, which is tentatively scheduled to open in late 2026.
Want to learn more about Cabarrus County’s behavioral health initiatives? Listen to “Opening Doors to Hope: CabCo’s Focus on Behavioral Health” on the Did Y’all Hear? podcast. Find the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you stream podcasts, or visit https://bit.ly/CabCoPodcast.