State of Montana Identifies Billings as the Likely Site for New Mental Health Facility

June 27, 2025

NAMI Montana is delighted by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services’ (DPHHS) recent update regarding a potential Billings location for the State of Montana’s new forensic mental health facility.

This development represents one of the major wins of the most recent Legislative session for NAMI Montana, as we worked closely with partners to address the serious and urgent challenges facing people with serious mental health conditions in Montana’s jails.

It’s just the beginning—but it’s a really great start.

Media Coverage

Helena Independent Record
By Seaborne Larson
June 25, 2025

Montana’s behavioral health system build-out is zeroing in on Billings as the site of a new facility for criminal defendants in need of intensive psychiatric treatment.

Since before Montana’s statehood, the state hospital for patients with severe psychiatric needs has been located in Warm Springs, between Butte and Deer Lodge. This location creates significant challenges for much of the state—particularly eastern Montana, where behavioral health services are limited.

DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton told a state commission on Monday that, with recently approved funding and growing momentum to strengthen behavioral health services, the department is increasingly focused on the Yellowstone County region.

“Right now we are focused on identifying a site for the facility and it looks more and more like the Billings region will be the location for the facility,” Brereton told the Behavioral Health Systems for Future Generations Commission at the state Capitol.

Read More

Read the full article from the Helena Independent Record here:
https://helenair.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_d7809982-25d4-4962-8385-0944325eb91b.html

Learn more about NAMI Montana’s advocacy efforts at:
https://www.namimt.org