Something BIG is coming

For mental health in our community

New Orleans East Hospital is bringing inpatient behavioral health care back to New Orleans East — and making history in the process. New Orleans East Hospital's first-ever in-patient behavioral health unit is now under construction. This is not just a building project. It is a promise to the communities of New Orleans East, Gentilly, and the Lower 9th Ward: the care you deserve is finally coming home.

On Monday, August 3, 2026, New Orleans East Hospital began renovations to the hospital café as part of the behavioral health unit construction. The grill area will be impacted beginning Tuesday, August 11, 2026. The project is expected to be completed in phases through August 31, 2026. During this period, temporary modifications to services will be in effect. We'll share an update every month as walls go up and the unit takes shape.

Construction schedule

Phase 1: August 3 – August 17

Areas Affected:

Cafeteria seating area
Check-out area
Grill line

What to Expect:

Café operations will remain open throughout construction.
Coffee service will remain available throughout the renovation.
Temporary traffic patterns may be in place to safely direct guests through the cafeteria.
The grill will remain open; however, guests will place grill orders at the hot line and receive an order number for pickup.

Morrison staff will be available during peak meal periods to assist with guest flow and answer questions.

Phase 2: August 17 – August 31

Areas Affected:

Hot Food Service Area
Soiled tray return area
Cafeteria entrance (night work only)

What to Expect:

Hot food service will be relocated to temporary serving stations using chafers near the grill area.
Grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches, deli sandwiches, prepared salads, and select pizzas will be available during this phase.

Temporary signage and staff will continue to assist guests with navigation and service changes.

What we're building

New Orleans East Hospital, a member of LCMC Health, broke walls in June 2026 on New Orleans East Hospital's first-ever in-patient behavioral health unit — bringing inpatient behavioral health care back to New Orleans East.

The unit will provide compassionate, evidence-based care for patients experiencing acute mental health crises — including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other serious mental health conditions. It will be staffed by a dedicated team of behavioral health nurses, psychiatrists, social workers, and support professionals trained to meet patients where they are.

Most importantly, it will be here — in this community — for this community.

The need is real. The time is now.

The behavioral health crisis in New Orleans is urgent, and the data tells the story.

The communities of New Orleans East, Gentilly, and the Lower 9th Ward carry generations of resilience — and generations of unmet need. Post-Katrina trauma, economic stress, and a shortage of nearby mental health resources have made an already difficult situation harder. New Orleans East Hospital is bringing behavioral health care back to the East!

From wall breaking to grand opening

We're counting down to something historic. Here's where we are and where we're headed.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, help is always available: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 NOEH Emergency Department: 5620 Read Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127