Benton County administrative staff, elected officials and behavioral health partners gathered last week to celebrate the completion of the Benton County Crisis Center. Governor Tina Kotek and Congresswoman Val Hoyle joined the Board of Commissioners and other County leaders in a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new building.
The Crisis Center, located at 240 NW 4th Street in downtown Corvallis, will begin providing walk-in crisis counseling and mobile crisis dispatch on July 7. Stabilization and respite services will be added as part of a phased opening approach.
“Behavioral health is a priority for Governor Kotek and has been throughout her career in public service. Kotek is currently focused on building statewide capacity for every Oregonian to have access to behavioral health services and support no matter where they live or what they can afford,” said a release from the county.
“This center is a result of our state’s ongoing work for more spaces and places for Oregonians to get the help they deserve,” Governor Kotek said. “It is the type of capacity that we need, where someone in crisis can stabilize in a safe space, and for those who need more time, a residential setting where they can stay up to 29 days and receive therapy, life skills training, case management, and connections to long-term care.”
Benton County Commissioner Nancy Wyse cited an increase in need over the last decade for mental and behavioral health support as well as substance use services. She believes the COVID pandemic exacerbated the problem, and that social and economic pressures also add to the strain.
“There are many stressors affecting everyone in our community —no one is immune to a behavioral health crisis,” said Commissioner Wyse. “Benton County brought together a variety of experts, including health partners, law enforcement and architects, to design this facility that will fill critical gaps in our continuum of care and be a safe, welcoming, therapeutic space for everyone.”
The community was invited to see the new Crisis Center during a public open house and information fair on Saturday, June 28 from 9 am to noon. Visitors stopped by information stations set up throughout the building to learn about its planning, design and construction and the services that will be offered in each space. Partner organizations were present to share information about other behavioral health supports available in the community.
Update: This story was originally published before the public open house took place. The story has now been updated to reflect that it has now taken place.
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