The United States faces a substantial gap between behavioral health needs and available treatment options. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 59.3 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States have experienced mental illness. Yet, according to Mental Health America, over half (54.7%) of adults with a mental illness do not receive treatment.
Acadia Healthcare’s affiliated network of facilities operates across multiple service lines to help address this treatment shortage. The network provides different types of care within a coordinated system that serves patients with varying levels of need.
The network includes over 260 facilities across nearly 40 states and Puerto Rico, making it the largest behavioral health-focused provider in the United States.
“We are extremely proud of the commitment of Acadia’s nearly 26,000 employees that have chosen to join our mission to provide compassionate care that improves the lives of patients and their families,” said Acadia Healthcare CEO Chris Hunter.
Meeting Diverse Treatment Needs
Acadia Healthcare’s network of affiliated facilities helps address behavioral health needs through four complementary service areas, each designed for specific patient populations and levels of care intensity.
The network includes approximately 50 acute facilities that provide inpatient care for high-acuity patients experiencing severe psychiatric conditions. These facilities treat individuals with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychoses who require intensive medical supervision and therapeutic intervention.
Thirty-five specialty facilities within the network provide residential treatment primarily for substance use disorders, though some also treat eating disorders. These facilities offer structured environments where patients can focus on recovery while receiving comprehensive therapeutic support.
The network includes approximately 170 Comprehensive Treatment Centers across over 30 states that specifically treat opioid use disorder. These outpatient facilities provide medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and support services to help patients manage addiction while maintaining their daily responsibilities.
Nine residential treatment facilities within the network serve children and adolescents with serious behavioral health conditions. These facilities provide specialized care for young people whose needs require support that can be more adequately addressed in outpatient settings or traditional school environments.
Addressing Treatment Access Challenges
Access to behavioral healthcare remains challenging across the United States. These access challenges reflect broader systemic issues within behavioral healthcare infrastructure. Recent estimates found that the U.S. requires more than 75,000 additional behavioral health beds to meet optimal care levels nationwide.
Acadia Healthcare and its network of affiliates has expanded capacity to address some of these gaps. During 2024, affiliated facilities added approximately 1,300 new beds through construction projects, with plans for continued expansion to serve underserved areas.
The expansion continues in 2025, with Acadia expecting to add between 800 and 1,000 total beds during the year.
“The need for behavioral healthcare in this country is increasing while the number of available beds has been decreasing, creating a broadening gap and leaving those patients who need the most care unable to get it,” Hunter said. “To meet that need, Acadia is investing to expand access over the next several years, including the expected construction of over 2,000 beds over the next two years.”
Integrated Care Approach
The network’s structure allows patients to access appropriate levels of treatment as their needs change during recovery. Patients might begin treatment at acute inpatient facilities during crisis periods, then transition to residential care for intensive therapy, and eventually receive outpatient support.
This continuity can address treatment gaps that occur when patients must navigate between unconnected providers. Research published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine indicates that integrating behavioral health providers into primary care teams “can enhance provider responsiveness to patients with complex clinical presentations and improve patient/family outcomes and satisfaction.”
Acadia Healthcare has developed partnerships with over 20 healthcare systems with an aim to expand access to behavioral health services. These joint ventures create behavioral health facilities within existing medical systems, helping bridge gaps between physical and mental healthcare.
These arrangements allow established healthcare systems to offer specialized behavioral health services while maintaining their existing medical operations.
The network’s approach reflects recognition that behavioral health conditions often require different types of intervention at various stages of treatment. Patients with substance use disorders might need medical detoxification, residential therapy, and long-term outpatient support. Those with severe mental illness might require acute stabilization followed by ongoing medication management and counseling.
Through operating facilities across multiple service lines, Acadia’s network of affiliates can provide coordinated care that addresses both immediate crises and long-term recovery needs. Hunter emphasized that the network remains committed to expanding access to behavioral health services that address critical gaps in the current healthcare system.
“We are together doing incredibly important work for our patients across the country, and remain committed to serving them with care, compassion, and excellence,” he said.
