Crisis Centers to Open Across IHN-CCO Service Territory May 16, 2025 Never in his 34-year career has Linn County Health Administrator Todd Noble seen a bigger need for mental health services and support than he does now. Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, Noble said there wasn’t a single person whose mental health wasn’t negatively affected. According to the 2022 COVID-19 Practitioner Impact Survey, 79% of psychologists reported seeing an increase in patients with anxiety disorders, 66% saw an increase in demand for treatment of depression, and 47% said they had seen an increase in demand for substance abuse treatment. While demand is on the rise, Noble said access to care remains limited in the Mid-Willamette Valley. The number of psychiatric beds in the region and statewide has declined, stretching local resources thin for those experiencing a mental health crisis. That is why InterCommunity Health Network (IHN-CCO) has partnered with public health agencies in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties over the past three years to establish 24/7 crisis centers in all three counties. These centers are places where anyone can walk in and get the help they need—whether it’s temporary respite or referral to other providers. The Benton County Crisis Center will open this spring. Centers in Linn and Lincoln counties are expected to open in early 2026. “It’s all about access to care,” Noble said. “We’re trying to instill hope. Nobody is immune to suffering and grief. The sooner you can be seen by a professional to actually have your issues addressed, the better.” Acute Care Continuum Construction of the new two-story, 8,000-square-foot Benton County Crisis Center at 240 NW 4th St. in downtown Corvallis is nearly finished after breaking ground in 2023. Linn County purchased the building for its crisis center last year at 1050 SW 7th Ave. in Albany, directly behind Samaritan Albany General Hospital. The Lincoln County Crisis Center will be located at 209 SW 2nd St. in Newport. Anyone in crisis can enter any one of the centers without an appointment and receive services, regardless of their ability to pay. The centers are strictly voluntary. Upon arrival, patients are evaluated and can stay for up to 23 hours in a calm, therapeutic environment. Staff can also refer individuals to other providers for ongoing treatment or to the emergency room if necessary. The Benton County Crisis Center will include a longer-term residential facility, with six rooms and shared living space where people can stay for up to 29 days. Residential services will not be available at the centers in Linn or Lincoln counties. Todd Jeter, Associate Vice President of Health Equity and Member Advocacy for IHN-CCO, said the crisis centers are part of an “acute care continuum,” along with efforts to restore inpatient psychiatric capacity. “Investments like these ensure that people can access timely treatment in their communities. These aren’t just new programs — they are commitments to place, proximity, and equity,” Jeter said. A Safe Space Staci Yutzie, project manager for the Benton County Crisis Center, said the facility was designed with input from community partners and fills a critical gap in the community. “It really is a place of community wellness,” Yutzie said. “It’s designed to be that resource for all of our community partners, from nonprofits to law enforcement.” Shandi Hoey, Adult Behavioral Health Program Manager for Lincoln County, said resources are limited along the coast. By opening the crisis center, Hoey said it will relieve pressure on local law enforcement and emergency departments while providing more immediate help for those in need. “Instead of having to go to the ER, to be able to walk in here and just feel safe . . . My hope is it will just be a safe space for people,” Hoey said. Noble said he hopes the centers are part of a multifaceted plan to improve mental health capacity across Oregon, in line with Gov. Tina Kotek’s proposed $90 million behavioral health investment package. “Having great, quick access to crisis services is one of the tools that Oregon needs,” Noble said. “This is definitely a step in the right direction.”
