Behavioral Health Crisis Center Marks 30 Years with Move to Expanded Facility

Salem, OR — Marion County Health & Human Services (MCHHS) is proud to announce the relocation of its Behavioral Health Crisis Center (BHCC) to a newly renovated facility at 1234 Commercial Street SE in Salem. The move coincides with the BHCC’s 30th anniversary of providing crisis support and stabilization services to individuals and families in Marion County.

The new Crisis Center will be fully operational beginning October 30, with no disruption to services anticipated during the move. The transition is carefully planned to ensure that community members continue to have uninterrupted access to behavioral health crisis care.

The new space expands capacity and enhances comfort for clients and staff, featuring six screening rooms, three clinical spaces, and 31 offices. Designed with wellness in mind, the building is filled with natural light and has updated technology for secure, efficient operations.

“We are beyond thrilled to have this new Crisis Center building coming online to expand services and be able to serve more individuals in their moment of need,” said Commissioner Danielle Bethell, Chair. “Having this resource for our community is essential and I want to see continued expansion and partnerships meeting these needs.”

For three decades, the BHCC, formerly the Psychiatric Crisis Center, has been a vital community resource, providing crisis intervention, face-to-face assessments, and stabilization services to anyone experiencing a behavioral health crisis, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.  The name change to Behavioral Health Crisis Center earlier this year reflects a broader approach to crisis care, recognizing that behavioral health encompasses both mental health and substance use needs.

The Crisis Center’s multidisciplinary team works side-by-side with individuals to identify goals, connect to ongoing care, and build lasting stability. Services include referrals, psychiatric support, housing and benefits navigation, and access to community resources.

In addition to in-office support, Marion County’s Community Response Team (CRT) and Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) provide crisis response in the field, meeting individuals where they are to offer safety, support, and connection to care.

The CRT pairs a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) or Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) with a Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) to deliver crisis intervention, safety planning, peer support, and referrals in situations involving suicidal thoughts, overwhelming stress, substance use concerns, or psychotic behavior.

The MCRT partners a Marion County Sherrif’s Deputy with a QMHP to respond to behavioral health emergencies in the community. Together, they provide both safety and behavioral health support on scene, helping individuals in crisis de-escalate, stabilize, and connect with appropriate services.

The Behavioral Health Crisis Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anyone in crisis can call 503-585-4949 for services and support.