Forrest County General Hospital (“FCGH”), established in 1952, is a 547‐bed, Level II Regional Trauma Center and hospital system with a service area of 19 counties across Mississippi. Within its healthcare system, FCGH provides behavioral health and addiction services through Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services (“Pine Grove”) located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Mental health services are an acute need within Mississippi. According to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey, more than one-third of adults in Mississippi report symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorders, the fourth highest percentage in the country. In a 2021 report by the Mississippi State Department of Health, the need for mental health providers across the state is dire, as 84 areas are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas for mental health.
Southern Community Capital’s New Market Tax Credit investment supported construction of a 30,600 square-foot, two-story facility in Hattiesburg. Surrounded by areas designated as medically underserved, Pine Grove is designed to address the mental health needs of the population within its 80-mile service area. The new facility, which includes clinical and meeting rooms, a lecture hall and an accessory building, is estimated to serve 2,500 patients with more than 11,000 patient visits annually. This will complement and enhance existing services while providing improved access to treatment programs to its service area.
Project Impact
- 58% of individuals served are low-income community residents.
- Treatment Programs include:
- Gratitude Program ‐ Offers treatment for men who are suffering from sexual and relationship addiction.
- Legacy Center ‐ Provides treatment for substance abuse, dual diagnosis, trauma, and mood disorders for adults aged 55 years and older.
- Men’s Next Step ‐ Supports men facing substance abuse disorders.
- Professional Enhancement Program ‐ Helps professionals with addictive illnesses, disruptive behavior, boundary violations, personality disorders, interpersonal difficulties and vocational issues.
- The Women’s Center ‐ Offers detox services for adult women who struggle with chemical dependency, treatment for dual diagnosis, trauma and co‐occurring eating disorders.
