ROSEBUD, S.D. — Facing high rates of substance abuse and mental health challenges, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe is planning a $4.6 million outpatient behavioral health facility to expand access to care for the Sicangu Lakota community.
The 8,400-square-foot center will be built next to the tribe’s recently completed detoxification facility and near the Indian Health Service emergency department, creating a more integrated system of care in one location.
The facility will house the Wiconi Wakan Health and Healing Center and offer services including mental health treatment, suicide prevention, crisis intervention and substance use care. Plans include seven treatment rooms, three therapy rooms, a family treatment space, a call center, reception and waiting areas, and a dedicated space for traditional healing.
Skyla Fast Horse, health director for the tribe, said the project is part of a broader effort to strengthen community-based, culturally grounded care and reduce reliance on outside providers.
“Each initiative brings us closer to healing, self-determination, and a stronger future for generations to come,” Fast Horse said.
The project is funded by nearly $5.4 million in grants from the Thomas W. Haas Foundation and the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, which cover construction and the facility’s first year of operations.
“Treatment for behavioral health and substance use issues should be as accessible as any other medical service,” said Walter Panzirer, a trustee of the Helmsley Charitable Trust. “Bringing these services into one centralized location will ensure that Rosebud Sioux Tribe members can access a full continuum of care closer to home.”
The center will combine evidence-based treatment with Lakota cultural teachings, incorporating spirituality, language and family support into the healing process. Tribal leaders say that approach is key to addressing longstanding disparities in behavioral health.
Native American communities experience some of the highest rates of suicide and mental health challenges in the United States. In Todd County, which includes the Rosebud Reservation, youth suicide rates far exceed the national average.
“This project will improve behavioral health outcomes by increasing access to care tailored to the needs of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe community,” said Wayne Booze, program director for the Helmsley Charitable Trust’s Rural Healthcare Program.
