Building a Healthier Tomorrow: SIH Breaks Ground on Mulberry Center Expansion

On June 24, more than 200 community members gathered to witness the official groundbreaking for the $19.9 million expansion and modernization of the SIH Mulberry Center in Harrisburg—a transformative milestone for behavioral health care in Southern Illinois.

“Today, we formally put shovels in the ground to support our families, our friends, our neighbors—and ourselves,” said SIH President and CEO John Antes. “With one in four Americans diagnosed with a mental health illness, this expansion addresses a need that touches every family. It’s about creating access and sending a message that people in Southern Illinois deserve comprehensive, compassionate care”.

The project, more than a decade in the making, will increase inpatient capacity—including the addition of a specialized medical-psychiatric unit—and begin to close critical gaps in mental health services across the region.

“This is one area where we can come to the rescue of our community,” said SIH Vice President and Administrator of SIH Harrisburg Medical Center Rodney Smith. “It’s a nearly $20 million investment, but its economic impact is expected to top $50 million. More importantly, it’s an answer to a long-standing need”.

For SIH Medical Director of Behavioral Health Naeem Qureshi, MD, the expansion is deeply personal. “We’ve been working toward this since 2010. It will allow us to care for more patients—including those with both mental and medical conditions—without forcing families to travel hundreds of miles,” he said. “It will also help reduce stigma through training and education”.

That proximity to care is vital, said Egyptian Health Department CEO Angie Hampton. “When beds aren’t available, people wait in emergency rooms or get sent far away,” she said. “This expansion will improve safety, stability and access—especially for those in crisis who need immediate, compassionate support”.

Harrisburg Mayor John Mcpeek called the day “a proud and exciting moment” for the city. “This project symbolizes progress and reflects the strength of our partnerships and healthcare professionals. Our community is healthier because of their efforts”.

State Senator Dale Fowler called the expansion “SIH’s mission in motion.” He added, “It reduces the burden on families and ensures care is available close to home. That’s a major step forward—not just for Harrisburg, but for the entire region.”

State Representative Patrick Windhorst emphasized the broader implications: “This facility will be a cornerstone in restoring wellness and stability across Southern Illinois,” he said. “It’s a bold step in addressing one of our region’s most urgent needs—accessible mental health care”.

Director of the SIH and SIH Harrisburg Medical Center Foundations, Jennifer Sigler, PhD, closed by recognizing the community’s essential role. “Through the ‘Hope is Home’ Capital Campaign, we’re not just funding a building—we’re strengthening the fabric of our region,” she said. “This is what it looks like when people come together to care for their own”.