ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- URMC is expanding to lead the region in pediatric mental health care with a new $10 million Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness Center. 

Philanthropist Tom Golisano is pledging $5 million to help build it.

"When you talk to Dr. Scharf and he tells you about what they are going through on a day-to-day basis; the volume, the waiting list and the extra hours that goes along with it, there is obviously a need and we are bad if we do not fulfill that need," Golisano said.

Jake O'May was a teen in need. He shared his personal struggles at Thursday's announcement. He says he was once suicidal, but got much-needed psychiatric help at Strong. 

"With my journey and how I have gone about things I realize that once you get out of the hospital your journey is not over, you still have so much to work on it is only the beginning," O'May said.

URMC officials say the new center will double the clinical space it has now to treat more kids in crisis. It'll have an intensive outpatient program and partial hospitalization for kids who need comprehensive services.

"What we are really looking forward to with this new center is to meet kids where they are at as problems are starting and support children and families to help nurture kids to live to their full potential an avoid ever seeing or hearing about an  emergency room," said Dr. Michael Scharf, UR Chief of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

The center will be located on South Avenue at Science Parkway on the Al Sigl campus near the future Golisano Autism Center.

"We would like to think that we are offering hope to shorten those wait lists and that at some point that we will be recognized  the region can come to receive support because we will have the resources to do that," said Tom O'Connor, Al Sigl Community of Agencies president. 

Construction on the center begins next spring.