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Lawmakers call for sale of mental health transitional facility in Concord

State of New Hampshire Moves Forward with Sale of Former Philbrook Mental Health Facility in Concord

CONCORD, N.H. — In a significant development for the Granite State's mental health infrastructure, the New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services has announced plans to sell the former Philbrook Place property, a once-vital residential treatment center for children and adolescents struggling with severe mental health issues. Located on a sprawling 10-acre site in Concord, the facility has stood vacant since its closure in 2019, symbolizing both the challenges and evolving priorities in the state's approach to behavioral health services. This move comes amid ongoing debates about the adequacy of mental health resources in New Hampshire, where wait times for care remain alarmingly long and access to specialized treatment for youth is increasingly strained.

Philbrook Place, originally opened in the 1970s as part of the state's efforts to provide community-based alternatives to institutionalization, served as a cornerstone for pediatric mental health care. Operated under the auspices of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), it offered intensive residential treatment for children aged 5 to 18 dealing with conditions such as severe depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and trauma-related issues. The facility could accommodate up to 24 residents at a time, providing round-the-clock therapeutic support, educational programs, and family involvement initiatives designed to foster long-term recovery and reintegration into community settings. For many families in Concord and surrounding areas, Philbrook represented a lifeline—a place where children could receive specialized care without being sent out of state, which often exacerbates feelings of isolation and disrupts family bonds.

The decision to close Philbrook in 2019 was not without controversy. State officials cited a combination of factors, including outdated infrastructure, rising operational costs, and a shift toward more decentralized, community-based models of care. According to reports from that time, the facility's aging buildings required millions in renovations to meet modern safety and accessibility standards. Additionally, broader systemic changes in mental health policy, influenced by federal guidelines and funding shifts, emphasized outpatient services and preventive care over long-term residential placements. Critics, however, argued that the closure left a gaping hole in the state's mental health safety net, particularly for vulnerable youth from low-income families or those in rural areas who lack access to private alternatives.

Now, with the property officially on the market, the state aims to recoup some of its investment and repurpose the land for potential economic development. The Department of Administrative Services has listed the site for sale through a competitive bidding process, with an asking price estimated in the range of $2 million to $3 million, though exact figures have not been publicly disclosed. The 10-acre parcel includes several buildings, including the main residential hall, administrative offices, and recreational spaces, all set against a backdrop of wooded areas and open fields. Zoning regulations in Concord allow for a variety of uses, from residential development to commercial projects, raising questions about what the future holds for this prime piece of real estate.

Mental health advocates have expressed deep concerns about the sale, viewing it as a missed opportunity to revitalize the site for continued health-related purposes. "Selling Philbrook is like turning our back on the very children who need us most," said Sarah Thompson, executive director of the New Hampshire chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). In an interview, Thompson highlighted the ongoing crisis in youth mental health, noting that suicide rates among adolescents in New Hampshire have risen by 20% over the past decade, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She argued that the state should consider partnering with private nonprofits or federal programs to reopen a similar facility, perhaps as a modernized center incorporating telehealth and evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and trauma-informed care.

State officials, however, defend the sale as a pragmatic step toward fiscal responsibility and innovation in service delivery. DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver explained in a recent statement that the department has invested heavily in alternative programs since Philbrook's closure. These include expanded community mental health centers, mobile crisis units, and school-based counseling initiatives funded through a mix of state budgets and federal grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). "We're not abandoning our commitment to mental health," Weaver said. "Instead, we're adapting to a model that brings services closer to where people live, reducing the need for institutional settings." She pointed to successes like the Doorways program, which provides rapid response teams for mental health emergencies, and increased funding for foster care systems that integrate behavioral health support.

The sale also intersects with broader economic and urban planning discussions in Concord. The city's planning board has been reviewing potential redevelopment options, with some stakeholders advocating for mixed-use development that could include affordable housing, green spaces, or even a new community health clinic. Local business leaders see the property as an opportunity to boost the area's economy, potentially creating jobs in construction and retail. However, environmental groups have raised flags about preserving the site's natural features, including wetlands and mature tree canopies that contribute to the region's biodiversity.

Community reactions have been mixed. At a recent town hall meeting in Concord, parents of former Philbrook residents shared heartfelt stories of how the facility transformed their children's lives. One mother, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted how her son, diagnosed with severe autism and anxiety, spent six months at Philbrook and emerged with coping skills that allowed him to thrive in a mainstream school. "Without places like this, families like mine are left scrambling," she said. On the other hand, some residents support the sale, arguing that the vacant buildings have become an eyesore and a drain on taxpayer resources. "It's time to move forward," said Concord City Councilor Mark Coen. "We can honor the legacy of Philbrook by ensuring the proceeds fund better, more efficient mental health programs elsewhere."

This development is part of a larger pattern in New Hampshire's handling of surplus state properties. Over the past five years, the state has sold off several underutilized assets, including former correctional facilities and administrative buildings, generating millions in revenue that have been redirected toward infrastructure projects and debt reduction. The Philbrook sale could follow suit, with proceeds potentially earmarked for the state's Mental Health Trust Fund, established in 2020 to support expanded services amid the COVID-19 pandemic's toll on public well-being.

Looking ahead, the bidding process is expected to conclude by the end of the year, with interested parties including real estate developers, nonprofit organizations, and even educational institutions eyeing the site for expansion. Advocates like Thompson are pushing for stipulations in the sale agreement that prioritize health-focused redevelopment, perhaps through deed restrictions or incentives for buyers who commit to community benefits. Meanwhile, DHHS continues to monitor the state's mental health landscape, reporting that while adult services have seen improvements, youth residential options remain limited, with many children still being placed out of state at a cost of over $100,000 per year per child.

The sale of Philbrook Place underscores the delicate balance between fiscal prudence and social responsibility in addressing mental health needs. As New Hampshire grapples with rising demands—exacerbated by factors like the opioid epidemic, economic inequality, and the lingering effects of the pandemic—it serves as a reminder of the human stories behind policy decisions. For the children and families who once found solace within its walls, the future of this property represents more than just land—it's a symbol of hope, or potentially, a lost opportunity in the fight for accessible mental health care.

In the broader context of national trends, New Hampshire's approach mirrors challenges faced by states across the U.S., where deinstitutionalization efforts have led to closures of facilities like Philbrook, often without sufficient community alternatives in place. According to a 2023 report by the Treatment Advocacy Center, the U.S. has lost over 90% of its psychiatric beds since the 1950s, contributing to crises in emergency rooms and jails that are ill-equipped to handle mental health emergencies. In New Hampshire, this has manifested in overcrowded emergency departments, where patients sometimes wait days for inpatient beds.

Experts suggest that innovative solutions, such as public-private partnerships or federal funding from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, could help bridge these gaps. For instance, models like those in Massachusetts, where former state hospitals have been repurposed into integrated health campuses, offer potential blueprints for Philbrook's future. As the sale progresses, stakeholders will be watching closely to see if New Hampshire can turn this transition into a step forward for mental health equity.

Ultimately, the story of Philbrook Place is one of evolution in a field that demands constant adaptation. While the physical structures may change hands, the need for compassionate, effective care for the state's most vulnerable youth endures. As Concord and New Hampshire navigate this chapter, the hope is that lessons from the past will inform a more resilient future. (Word count: 1,248)

Read the Full WMUR Article at:
[ https://www.wmur.com/article/philbrook-sale-mental-health-concord-72825/65532624 ]