The new Benton County Crisis Center will welcome the public for its first look this Saturday to offer a glimpse into what officials say represents a new approach to mental health crisis care in the region.
The facility at 240 NW Fourth St., in Corvallis will host an open house and information fair from 9 a.m.-noon on June 28. Community members and county partners are invited to tour the newly constructed center before it begins serving clients next month.
The crisis center represents a shift toward voluntary, walk-in mental health treatment for people experiencing crisis situations. Unlike traditional emergency room settings, the facility was designed specifically to create what Project Manager Ricky Garcia describes as a “trauma-informed and treatment-centered environment.”
“The space is warm and inviting, welcoming anyone that is in need of care and support,” Garcia said through a press release. “This therapeutic space is quiet, filled with natural lighting, and has a strong connection to nature through the use of organic materials and calming colors.”
The center will launch services in phases, beginning July 7 with walk-in crisis counseling available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. The county’s 24/7 Mobile Crisis Team will also operate from the new building.
Phase 2 will add stabilization services, allowing adults to stay up to 23 hours in a calm environment with reclining chairs and privacy dividers. Phase 3 will introduce respite care, offering up to 29 days of voluntary residential stay in private bedrooms on the second floor, complete with shared kitchen and common areas.
While the extended stay services are limited to adults, youth experiencing mental health crises can still access counselors at the center who will help connect them with appropriate services and referrals.
County officials emphasize that no one will be turned away due to inability to pay, making the center accessible to any community member experiencing a crisis regardless of their financial situation.
Saturday’s open house will feature information stations throughout the building where visitors can learn about the facility’s planning, design and construction, as well as the specific services that will be offered in each area.
Go online to learn more about the Benton County Crisis Center and its phased opening schedule.