Magic City Wellness Center announces expansion of mental health services with the opening of a new outpatient and residential facility at 39 Hanover Circle in Birmingham, AL.

​

The mission of Magic City Wellness Center at Hanover is to provide residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient care for individuals with eating disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions through compassionate, comprehensive mental health services within an LGBTQ affirming environment.

​

The Magic City Wellness Center offers comprehensive primary care and mental health services designed to support the well-being of the LGBTQ community and allies in and around the Greater Birmingham metro area. Since opening its doors in 2016, the Wellness Center has strived to meet growing needs for mental health services.

​

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (2023), approximately 9% of the United States population—28.8 million people—will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. The lifetime prevalence of eating disorders is estimated to be 8.60% among females and 4.07% among males, with an estimated 1 death per every 52 minutes as a direct consequence of an eating disorder. Eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate among psychiatric illnesses behind opiate addiction; up to 23% of individuals with a binge eating disorder reported having attempted suicide; and virtually all (94%) people diagnosed with an eating disorder reported experiencing lifelong mental health symptoms including 70% mood disorders, 68% substance use disorders, 59% anxiety disorders, 49% borderline personality disorder, and 32% posttraumatic stress disorder. LGBTQ youth diagnosed with an eating disorder experienced nearly four times greater the number of attempted suicides in the past year compared to youth who had not been suspected of having or been diagnosed with an eating disorder. Further, LGBT adults and adolescents are reported to experience greater incidence of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts.

​

In recognition of the urgent need for expanding mental health services to address eating disorders within its communities served, the Magic City Wellness Center announces this expansion of mental health services through a new residential facility located at 39 Hanover Circle in Birmingham, AL. This state-of-the-art center will provide residential, (PHP) day treatment, intensive outpatient, and outpatient care for individuals facing an eating disorder and associated mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. With a team of experienced professionals, our new facility will provide a range of therapeutic services including individual and group counseling, support groups, medication management, and holistic wellness programs. This expansion underscores Magic City Wellness Center's commitment to continue meeting the increasing need for mental health services in the community while ensuring that more people can access care to achieve mental well-being in a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment.

​

Birmingham AIDS Outreach and Magic City Wellness Center will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the new mental health facility on Friday, July 12, 2024 at 39 Hanover Circle Birmingham, AL 35205 beginning at 8:30 A.M.

​

About Birmingham AIDS Outreach: The mission of BAO is to enhance the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS, at-risk, affected individuals, and the LGBTQ community through outreach, age-appropriate prevention education, and supportive services. In April 2014, BAO opened a LGBTQ Youth Center, the Magic City Acceptance Center (MCAC) offering all programs free of charge including legal clinics, counseling services, HIV/STI testing and education, art classes, drop in hours, and health and wellness workshops. In January 2016, BAO also opened the Magic City Wellness Center offering primary medical care focused on the LGBTQ community.

​

About Magic City Wellness Center: The mission of The Magic City Wellness Center (MCWC) is to provide wellness and medical care for the LGBTQ community and their allies in a safe, welcoming and affirming environment. In January 2016 BAO opened the Magic City Wellness Center offering primary medical care focused on the LGBTQ community. Since that time, MCWC has expanded to include mental health services and an in-house AVITA pharmacy.

​

About our Development Team:  Magic City Wellness Center at Hanover is being developed in partnership with FARRIS Properties.  This is a continuation of the long-standing relationship between Birmingham AIDS Outreach and FARRIS Properties and will mark the 4th jointly developed project between these groups.  FARRIS and their development partners including KPS Group and Brasfield and Gorrie will redevelop 39 Hanover and anticipate placing the project into service during Q2 of 2025. 

​

Contact Information:

(205) 322-4197

Karen Musgrove, CEO

Magic City Wellness Center, Birmingham AIDS Outreach

205 32nd Street South

Birmingham, AL 35233

 

Press Contact:

(205) 322-4197 x107

Kyle Pugh, Director of Marketing and Special Events

Birmingham AIDS Outreach

205 32nd Street South

Birmingham, AL 35233

 

Farris Properties

Farris-properties.com

205-939-1222