Washington County's First Mental Health Urgent Care Center is Coming

Washington County is getting its first mental health urgent care center. The county's board of commissioners approved a 10-year lease for the facility, which is scheduled to open next March.

Officials say it will be a place where adults and youth - including those in crisis - can receive care and assistance and access ongoing treatment and other helpful resources.

The facility will be located at 5240 Northeast Elam Young Parkway in Hillsboro.

"Our community has long needed a walk-in center to address a critical gap in the mental health system,"said County Board of Commissioners Chairman Andy Duyck. "Individuals and their families want to avoid the kind of crisis that leads to the emergency room or even to jail.

"This center will provide a way to get help sooner in a more appropriate and less costly environment."

It will offer crisis counseling, information and referral, treatment connection, and other types of supportive services to individuals who do not require intensive, hospital-based help to address mental health and addictions concerns.

The center will be staffed by LifeWorks NW and will include master’s level clinicians, people experienced in treating addictions, and trained peers who have recovered from their own mental health issues.

The county's existing mental health crisis programs will be moved into the facility.

The center will most likely be open 12 hours a day, including weekends. Both walk-ins and appointments will be available.