Riverwalk Crisis Center fills a behavioral health care gap in western Montana

In Missoula, Montana, a crisis receiving center recently opened to support up to 16 adult patients at a time experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The new facility helps fill a gap in services for people in western Montana.  

In its first year of operation, Riverwalk is expected to provide trauma-informed support and resources to 4,000 individuals, regardless of residency or ability to pay. 

Riverwalk Crisis Center is a 24/7 behavioral health center. It was created to reduce unnecessary visits to emergency rooms or preventable incarceration. Working closely with Providence’s mobile crisis support team and first responders, Riverwalk helps people find the services they need, including resources such as referrals to other health service providers, housing and food assistance and transportation. 

Riverwalk is the result of efforts by the Behavioral Health Strategic Alliance, a collaboration between local community partners who saw a need and sought a solution. With investments from Missoula County, Western Montana Behavioral Health and Providence’s Well Being Trust, Riverwalk Crisis Center became a reality. 

Ann Douglas, Ph.D., the director of the Riverwalk Crisis Center, said she feels grateful to see firsthand the impact that programs like Riverwalk have on families in Montana. 

“Our first guest at Riverwalk came to us a few times. I recently got a call from them, saying they’re in a safe place and thanking us for being there for them,” Douglas said. “That’s why we’re here.”