Families and Ex-Workers Grapple with Fear and Uncertainty After St. Luke’s Sudden Closure

PHOENIX — St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center in downtown Phoenix has ceased operations after its parent company declared bankruptcy. This abrupt closure has resulted in the layoff of hundreds of employees, leaving patients and healthcare providers in a precarious position.

The implications of the closure extend beyond employment; many patients, particularly those with severe mental health issues, relied heavily on the center as a therapeutic space. “For our patients who have been court-ordered multiple times, St. Luke’s was home. It’s devastating for them,” said Crystal Fox, a behavioral healthcare nurse.

Reactions to the news were mixed but largely resigned. “We anticipated this outcome,” Fox noted. The closure affects not only St. Luke’s 100 treatment beds but also 16 additional beds specifically designated for court-ordered treatment, which provides crucial intensive therapy.

The center’s struggles became apparent after the failure of its air conditioning system, leading to state intervention that suspended its license over health and safety violations. In light of these issues, Steward Healthcare has indicated plans to lay off over 250 staff members from its facilities.

Jane Jepson’s son was among those who depended on the services at St. Luke’s. “The fear is overwhelming. Without court-ordered treatment, he can’t stay in recovery,” she shared, expressing uncertainty over future care options following the facility’s closure. Jepson criticized the state for its lack of planning, questioning, “Why suspend the license in August without a clear future plan?”

In response to the situation, the Arizona Department of Health Services stated it does not believe there is a significant gap in treatment availability, asserting that they continue to monitor the landscape of behavioral health services closely. “We have yet to see evidence of a lack of access to behavioral health beds,” the agency mentioned in a statement.

Despite the official stance, concerns remain amongst former staff and families affected by the closure. A spokesperson for Steward Healthcare did not provide comments on the situation, leaving many questions unanswered about the future of mental health care in the Phoenix area.