With kids’ mental health in mind, a healing space is opening in West Peoria

PEORIA ( 25News Now ) - A vibrant space for healing is about to open for Tri-County kids struggling with their mental health.

The Young Minds Center is an expansion of Carle Health's Trillium Place that will offer inpatient and outpatient services starting at the end of this month.

"The Young Minds Center will double our capacity to be able to provide these services right here in the Peoria community," said Trillium Place Executive Director of Community Services Doctor Derrick Booth.

The center on West Hedding Avenue in West Peoria is dedicated to children and adolescents between the ages of four and 17 who need counseling, psychiatric, and behavioral health care.

The inpatient space will have 21 open beds even after taking in the 23 patients from the hospital-based units.

Booth said the best part is that it offers more healing options closer to home.

"Also, [kids can] engage their families into the therapeutic process, whether that be through education or offering therapeutic services for their families as well, to assist the whole child in their recovery and healing process," said Booth.

The Young Minds Center will have professionals ranging from counselors, healthcare techs, and psychologists.

Every element in the center was carefully thought out to create an inviting environment for the kids with calming colors and natural light.

"There's a beautiful art space with a variety of activities. We'll have an art therapist who's trained in art therapy to provide those services in a therapeutic setting," Booth said.

A spokesperson with the Young Minds Center said Greater Peoria has offered mental health services to kids as young as four years old since 1988.