BILLINGS, Mont. \u2013 Montana’s State Hospital in Warm Springs is facing overcrowding issues, prompting state legislators to consider building a new facility, and among the five proposed sites is Billings, the state’s largest city.<\/p>\n
The potential location for this psychiatric hospital is between Alkali Drive and High Sierra Boulevard on Skyway Drive in Billings.<\/p>\n
After speaking with local residents and city leaders, opinions on the proposal appear mixed.<\/p>\n
“I don’t understand why you wouldn’t help people that need it. Billings needs one that would service all of eastern Montana. Nothing but positive,” John Moberly, a resident near Skyway Drive, expressed his support.<\/p>\n
However, Councilwoman Jennifer Owen from Ward 2 shared a different perspective.<\/p>\n
“The general feedback that I’ve gotten from my constituents is a very strong no,” Owen said.<\/p>\n
Owen acknowledged the potential benefits of addressing overcrowding at the state mental hospital but noted there are many unknowns.<\/p>\n
“There are, at this point, more questions than answers,” she added.<\/p>\n
Terri Todd, a behavioral health advocate and chair of the Local Advisory Committee for Behavioral Health, emphasized the importance of the facility serving more than just criminal evaluations.<\/p>\n
“We want to make sure that we have discharge plans… unlike what we’re dealing with in Warm Springs now,” Todd stated.<\/p>\n
Todd mentioned that in a meeting with 19 other public health providers, there was unanimous agreement on the need for a mental hospital on this side of the state. She highlighted the case of a man who spent over a year in detention on a misdemeanor, who needed mental health treatment but ended up homeless.<\/p>\n
“The system didn’t work,” Todd said.<\/p>\n
Both Owen and Todd are hopeful for more discussions with the state to develop a clearer plan. The Department of Public Health and Human Services, which is organizing the project, has yet to respond to requests for more information.<\/p>\n