MINNEAPOLIS — Three of Minnesota’s largest hospitals want to establish short-term housing for adults with psychiatric illnesses amid a backlog in the state mental health system.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester and Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis have made plans to develop housing for patients who may be ready for discharge from the hospital but need more therapy before returning to their own homes. Regions Hospital in St. Paul is considering developing a 16-bed residential treatment center that will help patients after they’re discharged from area hospitals.

The new “recovery homes” will serve more than 400 adults with mental illnesses every year. They’re expected to relieve pressure on hospitals that have become overwhelmed by a surge of patients suffering mental health crises.