Now in its fourth year, the Clackamas County Mental Health Center has a new name and slightly different hours. Formerly known as the Riverstone Clinic, the Mental Health Center (Clackamas MHC), is a supportive place where people in crisis can talk to a counselor or peer support advocate for information, resources, treatment and support.
Behavioral Health Director Mary Rumbaugh believes that the name change better reflects the programs housed at the center and is a small step toward reducing the stigma around mental health.
“In addition to our crisis line and urgent walk-in services, we offer peer delivered services, community outreach, involuntary commitment and a place for community partners to host trainings or support groups,” Rumbaugh says. “We are working to address stigma head-on, and part of that work means helping people to feel comfortable talking about mental health. We did have to compromise and leave the words ‘mental health’ off of the sign, which shows that we still have work to do.”
Located at the Ross Center at 11211 SE 82nd Ave. (near Clackamas Town Center), Clackamas MHC is committed to helping people who struggle with urgent mental health issues receive needed services and support. It will also continue to provide crisis services to anyone living in the county regardless of ability to pay or insurance plan.
Those services include:
- 24-hour phone crisis intervention
- phone screening and referral to appropriate provider(s) based on insurance/payment source
- same day or urgent (within 48 hours) intake appointments
- brief treatment sessions for crisis stabilization
- community consultation, information and referral to other agencies or services
Richard Swift, the county’s Health, Housing and Human Services Director, said the name change will help to clarify the services provided at the center.
“One in four Americans will experience a personal mental health challenge in their lifetime,” Swift says. “This percentage expands when families are included in the calculation of our individual experience. Our center exists to help us begin, and to maintain, the path to wellness for ourselves and our families. The new name plainly states what we do at the center.”
The center is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Beginning Dec. 2, the clinic will close on Sundays. The Behavioral Health Unit (http://bit.ly/2zcWlHI) will be available for face-to-face evaluations on Sundays and the crisis line will still operate 24/7. Individuals can make an appointment by calling 503-655-8585 or by visiting the center during business hours.
