What Are the Main Behavioral Health Issues in Lane County?

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — In an exciting development for mental health services in Lane County, PeaceHealth has announced plans to construct a new 96-bed inpatient behavioral health hospital in Springfield. The facility, named Timber Springs Behavioral Health Hospital, will be strategically situated near PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend, following the acquisition of land along International Way. This initiative reflects PeaceHealth’s commitment to enhancing mental health care in the community.

Partnership with Lane County

This ambitious project is part of a strategic partnership between PeaceHealth and Lane County. As part of this collaboration, Lane County is also working on establishing the Lane Stabilization Center (LSC) adjacent to the new hospital. The LSC aims to provide critical support for individuals facing behavioral health crises, offering an alternative to traditional emergency room visits and potential incarceration.

A Holistic Approach to Mental Health

Alicia Beymer, Chief Administrative Officer at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend, emphasized the necessity of a holistic approach to mental health care. “Mental health conditions demand urgency, expertise, and compassion. We are thrilled to partner with Lane County to realize a comprehensive and integrated behavioral health network,” Beymer stated. This collaboration seeks to expand access to essential services, reduce emergency department congestion, and minimize the need for patients to seek treatment in distant facilities.

Current Mental Health Services in Lane County

Currently, PeaceHealth provides care for approximately 15 crisis patients daily in the Riverbend Emergency Department and operates a 35-bed behavioral health unit on the University District campus. The new Timber Springs hospital will replace this unit, significantly enhancing capacity and service offerings. The existing facility can only accommodate the most acute psychiatric patients, while the new hospital will provide care for individuals with major depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis, and other mental health issues.

Features of the Lane Stabilization Center

The Lane Stabilization Center will serve as a vital resource for individuals in crisis. It will offer:

• 24-hour adult behavioral health urgent care for less severe cases.
• A 23-hour observation unit for those in crisis.

Eve Gray, Director of Lane County Health and Human Services, noted, “We are witnessing a doubling of inpatient bed capacity for adults, as well as the introduction of the first adolescent behavioral health inpatient unit outside of Portland. This additional capacity for stabilization resources will significantly alleviate pressure on our hospitals.”

Addressing Mental Health Crises

Sheriff Clifton Harrold of Lane County expressed the need for effective alternatives to incarceration for individuals experiencing mental health crises. “The new facilities are the solution we have been searching for,” he remarked. “They will help curb drug abuse and provide support to those desperate for relief from their symptoms.” He further explained that many individuals in crisis resort to self-medication, and the new stabilization center will offer the necessary help to avoid these harmful behaviors.

Financial Backing and Future Prospects

The LSC project comes with a $30 million price tag, with funding sourced from various avenues, including $8 million from the Lane County Board of Commissioners, $5 million from the state legislature, and $3 million from federal sources. PeaceHealth has not yet disclosed the total cost for the Timber Springs Behavioral Health Hospital, but it is expected to create hundreds of jobs in the region, with incentives designed to attract skilled behavioral health professionals.

Timeline for Opening

PeaceHealth aims to have the Timber Springs Behavioral Health Hospital operational by late 2027 or early 2028. Meanwhile, Lane County has entered a 90-day due diligence phase to gather public input, which includes federal environmental and zoning reviews. The purchase agreement will be presented to the Lane County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, October 16, but the finalization of the sale is anticipated to take several months. Public comments will be welcomed on Tuesday, October 15, at 9 a.m. during the Board of Commissioners meeting at the Public Service Building in Harris Hall, located at 125 East 8th Avenue, Eugene.