Missoula’s New Crisis Center Will Have a Grand Opening Soon

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On November 9, 2023, Missoula County announced the grand opening of the Riverwalk Crisis Center, which is a new community-based center for people experiencing a behavioral health crisis. According to Communications Manager Allison Franz, the Missoula County commissioners and representatives from local healthcare providers will be in attendance. 

“The event will take place at 1 p.m., Monday, Nov. 13, at the facility, located at the Western Montana Mental Health Center, 1315 Wyoming Street,” Franz said. “The result of years-long collaboration between healthcare providers, government officials, and representatives from local government and community agencies, the Riverwalk Crisis Center will provide people in a behavioral health crisis with rapid, short-term assessment and treatment in a calm, therapeutic environment.” 

According to Franz, it will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to provide a safe, welcoming space for people to stabilize and connect with the care and resources they need.  

“People experiencing a behavioral health crisis often end up in the emergency department or jail if there is no other place for them to go, and local government leaders, healthcare agencies and community members have long identified the need for a 24-hour walk-in mental health care center,” Franz said. “Approximately 30% of patients in Providence St. Patrick Hospital’s Emergency Department go there due to a behavioral health need, and the Riverwalk Crisis Center will soon provide a more effective, cost-efficient option for treating them.” 

Franz said Missoula County has contributed $1.5 million to make the center a reality, mainly from federal funds received through the American Rescue Plan Act.