Special to Tiger Media Network
Imagine someone you love in crisis – scared, overwhelmed, unsure where to turn. For too many in our community, that’s often the reality. But it doesn’t have to be. High Plains Mental Health Center is proud to announce construction has started on a new Crisis Intervention Center in downtown Hays. This facility will help save lives and bring hope to those who need it most.
Expected to open in November, the Crisis Intervention Center (CIC) will serve adult clients experiencing mental health or substance use crises. The facility will accept both voluntary and non-voluntary referrals for treatment and will also offer medical detox services for those under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Currently, there are no outpatient de-tox facilities or adult crisis beds in Northwest Kansas, so this facility will fill a significant gap in services, said Chief Executive Officer Craig Poe.
“This facility will be a vital resource for individuals facing mental health and substance use crises. Too often, those in crisis find themselves in emergency rooms unequipped to provide the specialized care they need or, even worse, in jail due to a lack of appropriate alternatives,” Poe said. “The CIC will change that by offering immediate stabilization, treatment, and support in a safe, therapeutic environment that upholds the dignity of every individual.”
The CIC will offer 22 patient rooms and two de-escalation rooms, with overflow capacity available to accommodate peak demand times. The facility is expected to serve at least 500 clients annually, and it will be the closest option for residents in 28 western Kansas counties. It will be located in the Hadley Office Complex, 205 E. 7th Street in Hays. Led by High Plains Mental Health Center (HPMHC), this transformative project is already partially funded, but an additional $4 million is needed to make it a reality. These funds will cover critical renovations, architectural design, safety enhancements, and furnishings to ensure a state-of-the-art facility. With a target completion date of October 2025, this project is on a tight timeline — but the urgency of our community’s mental health needs makes every step forward essential.
“We can’t do this without your help. Every donation helps make this center a reality for those who need our support,” Poe said. “Join us in creating a space where everyone can get the care they need in the most effective setting. Every single gift counts. Please help us build for the future.”
Online giving is convenient and secure. Visit hpmhc.com/giving to get started today, and watch social media for updates and other opportunities coming soon. Contributions can also be sent by paper mail to 208 E. 7th Street, Hays, KS 67601. For more information, contact development officer James Gerstner at (785) 628-2871. Donors will be recognized for their generous contributions.
Over the past decade, mental illness and substance use issues have escalated into a growing crisis that demands immediate attention. Northwest Kansas has one of the highest suicide rates in the state, yet there are no adult psychiatric hospitals in the region. As a result, individuals in urgent need of care are often sent to emergency rooms or jails — facilities designed for medical emergencies and public safety, not for mental health treatment. Without the right expertise or environment, these settings often fail to provide the care needed, leaving individuals vulnerable and their conditions worsening. The current system is overloaded, as regional emergency rooms often must hold psychiatric patients for days waiting on a state hospital bed to become available. Often, law enforcement officer must also remain at the hospital in cases of non-voluntary admissions. As a result, rural police and sheriff’s departments struggle with staffing capacity, while knowing the patients are not receiving prompt and adequate treatment.
“This facility will be huge for this region and our ability to provide services to those mental health consumers who need help, especially in times of crisis,” said Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler. “Law enforcement across the region have to respond to these calls. This facility will allow those patients to get treatment in a more timely manner.”
The CIC will also drive economic growth and community prosperity by creating 86 new jobs —50 direct jobs within the CIC and 36 additional jobs through the subsequent economic ripple effect. This proposal is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the mental well-being of Kansans, while simultaneously driving economic growth and job creation in Hays and surrounding communities.
“The Crisis Intervention Center (CIC) represents more than just a project — it is a lifeline for those facing the darkest moments of their lives,” Poe said. “This facility will save lives, transform care, and strengthen entire communities by improving outcomes, reducing stigma, and alleviating pressure on emergency rooms, jails, and already-stretched county resources. With this center, we can expand regional emergency response capacity, ensuring faster, more effective care for those in crisis.”
High Plains Mental Health Center is a licensed Community Mental Health Center and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic dedicated to the aggressive pursuit of providing a comprehensive mental health program to the residents of Northwest Kansas. Embodied in this pursuit are fundamental principles of establishing quality services as close to home as possible, at an affordable fee, and delivered in the least disruptive manner available. Such services will offer a continuum of care so that treatment can be individualized, and our staff can respond quickly and compassionately to those reaching out to us.