Linn County has started construction on a new mental health crisis center in Albany designed to provide short-term support for individuals in need of behavioral health assistance.
Work began the week of Nov. 17 in a county-owned building at 1050 7th St. SW, directly across from Samaritan Albany General Hospital. The facility will offer a calm, therapeutic space for people experiencing a mental health crisis.
“Obviously, we have a behavioral health crisis in Oregon and across the United States,” said Todd Noble, Linn County’s mental health director.
A 2022 survey by the American Psychological Association found that 79% of Oregon psychologists reported an increase in patients with anxiety disorders, 66% saw higher demand for depression treatment, and 47% noted more requests for substance abuse care.
Oregon began closing mental health hospitals about 20 years ago, reducing inpatient capacity and increasing the demand on counties to provide local services. Noble said Gov. Tina Kotek encouraged counties to expand crisis services and build dedicated centers.
Linn County currently operates crisis services during business hours and maintains a mobile crisis van for rural areas. The new center will complement these services, offering short-term, in-person care.
Nearby counties—including Benton, Marion, Polk, Lane, and Lincoln—have opened or are developing similar crisis centers, some funded by the Oregon Health Authority. These centers offer suicide prevention, safety planning, substance use support, and referrals for ongoing treatment. Services are voluntary and accessible without appointments, regardless of the individual’s ability to pay.
Patients can stay for up to 23 hours in the center’s therapeutic environment. While Benton County’s facility includes a longer-term residential program, Linn County’s center will not provide overnight beds. Those posing a risk to themselves or others will be referred to emergency care.
“Our new center will provide a space for people to relax, de-escalate, and connect with our mental health programs,” Noble said. “It’s a one-stop shop to divert individuals from overburdened emergency rooms.”
The center’s location across from Albany General Hospital is a major advantage, offering immediate access to hospital services and reducing reliance on emergency rooms.
In 2023, Linn County commissioners approved the use of a $75,000 grant from the Intercommunity Health Network to study the project. Although the county did not receive Oregon Health Authority funding, it has combined resources from various sources to finance construction. No county general fund money is being used.
The facility is modeled on successful centers in Deschutes County and draws input from other Oregon counties, including Marion, Benton, Clackamas, and Washington.
The center is scheduled to open June 1, with an open house planned to introduce the public to the services. Initially, it will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., gradually extending hours as staffing allows.
“The goal is to create an open-door environment where people feel welcome, can calm down, and access the services they need efficiently,” Noble said.
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