This undated photo shows Phoenix Place, a long-term and short-term mental health treatment center operated by Klamath Basin Behavior Health in Klamath Falls.
Courtesy: Klamath Basin Behavioral Health
Klamath County last week finalized the transfer of the Klamath Falls vacant lot to Klamath Basin Behavior Health. The donation, along with his $2.6 million grant from the Oregon Department of Health, will begin construction of a brand new 16-bed long-term mental health treatment center.
In addition, the new building will host a four-floor crisis reception center intended to reduce the burden on local hospitals and prisons.
KBBH Communications Director Abbie McClung said: “And diverting people from hospitals and the correctional system to mental health facilities is the goal of the four-bed emergency detention center.”
The new building will be located next to the current KBBH treatment facility, Phoenix Place, which houses both long-term and short-term beds. McClung said the expansion doubles both numbers.
“The current capacity of eight respite beds and eight residential beds, plus zero beds for crisis response, is not sufficient to meet the needs of Klamath County,” McClung said. The increased capacity will help meet that need.”
The expansion will take place on two vacant lots that McClung said have been vacant for 20 years. She added that the land is restricted to mental health treatment through her 2009 state grant.
McClung said this is the only service of its kind in the county. The addition of Crisis Care beds is in response to the rollout of 988, the new National Mental Health Crisis Line.
KBBH plans to begin expansion this year and open the center in 2024.
