Harrison Medical Center will close its behavioral health unit May 1, Harrison President and CEO Scott Bosch announced Wednesday.

The unit has seen a declining number of patients, which has resulted in “operational losses that are unsustainable,” according to a Harrison Medical Center news release. In the previous year, the 12-bed unit has seen roughly three patients a day.

“This is a very difficult decision, but one that we felt we needed to make at this time,” Bosch stated.

Harrison’s emergency department and medical units will continue to help patients who need mental health services or facilitate care with Kitsap Mental Health Services or other treatment facilities, according to the news release.

Harrison also is attempting to contract transport services for patients who will require care at another facility.

The behavioral health unit’s closure affects 23 employees and several physicians. The news release states that Harrison officials are attempting to move the staff to other departments.