Linn County has begun building a new mental health crisis center in Albany, designed to provide short-term support for individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges.
Construction started 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 environment for people in crisis and serve as an alternative to local hospital emergency rooms.
“Obviously, we have a mental 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 more cases of depression, and 47% noted a rise in demand for substance abuse treatment.
Oregon has been closing mental health hospitals for nearly two decades, reducing inpatient beds and placing greater responsibility on counties to provide mental health services. Noble said that a few years ago, Gov. Tina Kotek encouraged counties to expand crisis services and build dedicated centers.
Linn County currently offers mental health crisis services during business hours and operates a mobile crisis van for 24/7 assistance in rural areas. The new center will provide a brick-and-mortar space where individuals can receive short-term care, de-escalate, and access additional services.
Other Oregon counties have recently opened similar facilities. Benton, Marion, and Polk counties launched crisis centers with some funding from the Oregon Health Authority, while Lane County plans to open a mental health stabilization center in late 2027. Lincoln County is also developing a facility. Marion County expanded its existing center with state support.
These centers provide services such as suicide prevention, safety planning, substance use disorder support, referrals for long-term care, and overdose prevention education. Anyone in crisis can enter voluntarily, regardless of their ability to pay. Patients may stay for up to 23 hours, after which staff can coordinate ongoing treatment or emergency care if necessary.
Unlike Benton County, which offers longer-term residential care, Linn County’s center will not have beds for extended stays. Noble emphasized that the facility is meant to give clients a place to calm down rather than sending them to hospital emergency rooms. Individuals who pose a threat will be transported to emergency care.
“In Linn County, we’ve always had a crisis team,” Noble said. “We operate 24/7, mostly responding to emergency rooms. A few years ago, we started mobile crisis vans. This center will provide a respite area where people can relax and de-escalate.”
The center will also coordinate with the District Attorney’s Office and law enforcement to connect individuals with alcohol and drug services, creating a “one-stop shop” for those in need.
The Albany location offers a unique advantage, Noble said. “We are the only crisis center in Oregon directly across from a hospital. It’s a huge benefit for accessibility and efficiency,” he noted.
Funding for the project comes from a variety of sources, including a $75,000 grant from the Intercommunity Health Network, which blends public and private health services. Linn County did not receive Oregon Health Authority funding but used a combination of resources to move forward. No county general fund dollars are being used.
The center is modeled on the first Oregon facility in Deschutes County and incorporates lessons from Marion, Benton, Clackamas, and Washington counties.
Terri McQueen, Linn County’s health services contract and procurement manager, said the center is scheduled to open on June 1, 2026, with a public open house planned. Initially, hours will run roughly 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., gradually extending as staffing allows.
Noble emphasized the goal of the center: “When clients walk in, they’ll get warmth and a chance to settle into a calming environment. It’s an open door to mental health services and a way to keep people out of overburdened emergency rooms.”
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