Central ND News

On May 1, 1885, the North Dakota State Hospital began operations in Jamestown, marking a significant development in the region's approach to mental health care.

According to the State Historical Society of North Dakota, the hospital was authorized by the Dakota Territorial Legislature in 1883 to provide care for individuals with mental illnesses. It was governed by a Board of Trustees, consisting of five members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Council. The board oversaw administration, including appointing key staff such as the superintendent and physicians. In 1911, this board was dissolved and replaced by the Board of Control, reflecting a shift toward more centralized oversight of state institutions.

The original design of the North Dakota State Hospital was influenced by the Cottage Plan, a model advocating for a decentralized layout with separate buildings for different functions. This approach aimed to create a more home-like and therapeutic environment for patients, contrasting with institutional designs prevalent at that time. The North Dakota Legislature reports that Dr. O. Wellington Archibald, the hospital's first superintendent, selected this design to promote normalcy and comfort for residents, aligning with contemporary beliefs about environmental impact on mental health treatment.

According to Health and Human Services North Dakota, plans have been launched to build a new state-of-the-art hospital to replace the aging facility. The proposed $332 million project includes 144 inpatient beds for adult, geriatric, forensic, and substance abuse patients. The new design aims to improve patient care, enhance operational efficiency, and incorporate modern therapeutic spaces.

The hospital is currently overseen by a governing body that includes several key figures: the executive director of North Dakota Health and Human Services; the director of the Behavioral Health Division; the hospital superintendent; the medical director; a representative from fiscal administration; a behavioral health consumer; and a legislator.