If you’ve ever had to navigate the winding road of mental health support in Nevada County, you know just how frustrating—and heartbreaking—it can be to find real help close to home. Most folks end up being sent out of the county for care, leaving behind their families, their support systems, and sometimes even their hope. But finally, it looks like that’s about to change.

In what might be one of the most important (and overdue) investments in our local infrastructure, Nevada County has officially secured a $23.7 million grant to build a psychiatric treatment center right here in Nevada City. Yep, you read that right. Real mental health care, right in our backyard.

Two Facilities, One Big Win

The center will be built on the Eric Rood Government Center campus and will house two key units:

Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF):
For short-term care, from 24 hours up to 30 days.

Mental Health Rehabilitation Center (MHRC):
For longer stays—think a few months to a year—for those needing more in-depth recovery time.

It’s a game changer. Until now, patients needing these services have had to travel hours away, which isn’t just inconvenient—it can be downright dangerous for those in crisis. This center will let people stay close to their families, their pets, their therapists… and, well, the people who love them.

This isn’t some thrown-together solution either. The county chose Crestwood Behavioral Health, a long-standing organization with over 50 years of experience and 29 campuses throughout California, to oversee the construction and operation of the facility. These folks know their stuff.

The new center will be a secure, locked facility, meaning it’s safe for patients and staff alike. It’ll be fully staffed 24/7 with trained medical and clinical professionals, offering everything from medication management to therapeutic treatment, stabilization, and discharge planning. Patients will be admitted via secure transport and released only to responsible parties—so yes, it’ll be a controlled, intentional space that’s focused on healing.

Additionally, it has the full support of local agencies, hospitals, advisory boards, and even our local chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Community engagement has been a big part of the process—something that’s both refreshing and absolutely necessary when it comes to matters this personal.

Why It Matters

Mental health struggles don’t care about zip codes. They don’t wait for convenience, and they sure as heck don’t pause for lack of access. For so long, this county has been behind the curve on psychiatric care, and it’s caused far too many people to fall through the cracks.
This new facility? It’s a lifeline. A long-overdue one.

As someone who lives here, raises kids here, and has watched our community stretch and grow through some heavy stuff, I couldn’t be more relieved to see this kind of progress. Mental health care should be local, be accessible, and it should be built on compassion and community—not crisis and reaction.

And if you or someone you love is struggling, hold on.
Help is coming—and this time, it’s coming home.

Timeline Breakdown

Now through Summer 2025:
Designs, planning, and community coordination.

Fall 2025:
Construction begins.

Mid-to-Late 2027:
Doors open. Services begin. Lives get better.