Great Falls Begins Work on Crisis Health Center

The new facility will provide short-term stabilization services to help residents in crisis avoid jail or emergency rooms.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Substance Abuse

Scaffolding surrounding the brick exterior of a historic building undergoing facade renovation in an urban street setting. — Construction crews have begun work on the new Great Falls behavioral health crisis center, which aims to provide mental health stabilization by 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your local community prioritize specialized crisis centers over jail for mental health emergencies?

Construction is underway on a new behavioral health crisis center in Great Falls to provide an alternative to jail or emergency care. Located at 1220 Central Ave., the facility is slated to open for services in July 2027.

Why it matters

This center addresses a critical gap in local mental health and substance abuse care by giving first responders a designated setting for crisis intervention. It aims to reduce the burden on jails and emergency departments while providing immediate stabilization.

The project is supported by a $1.4 million Crisis Diversion Grant, with $1 million dedicated to facility development and $400,000 for a mobile response team. It remains unknown how the facility will maintain its 24-hour intake operations once the initial grant is exhausted.

The players

Indian Family Health Clinic

A healthcare provider hosting the new behavioral health center on its second floor.

The details

The facility will occupy second-floor space at the Indian Family Health Clinic, requiring asbestos and lead abatement before construction can proceed. Once operational, the center will provide short-term stabilization services, with intake stays capped at 23 hours and 59 minutes to facilitate immediate crisis diversion.

Construction began on October 29, 2026.
Mobile response team operations are expected to begin by the end of 2026.
Construction is projected to conclude in June 2027.
The center is scheduled to open for services in July 2027.

Running
Oct. 21
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Health Landscape

This facility represents a shift toward specialized, short-term stabilization models for mental health crises. It follows the precedent established by Crisis Diversion Grant programs that aim to redirect individuals away from acute care settings and jails.

For residents in crisis, this center will offer a designated space for immediate stabilization rather than emergency room visits. Families can discuss with their primary care physician how this new service fits into a broader long-term mental health or recovery plan.

The takeaway

The center provides a specialized alternative for crisis stabilization that prioritizes mental health support over emergency room triage. Residents should keep this facility in mind as a resource to discuss with their physician when developing a personal or family mental health crisis plan.