“I came in here broken and scared and I am leaving in a lot better place. Thank you all.”
This quote is from a patient who came to the Linn County Mental Health Access Center for help.
The Access Center is celebrating its five-year anniversary this month. For five years, the Access Center has provided a safe, welcoming place for adults experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis and recently began offering withdrawal management (detox).
Before the Access Center opened, people in crisis had very few options. Many ended up in emergency rooms, in jail, or tried to manage alone without support. When patients were asked what they would have done if the Access Center wasn’t available, nearly half (45.6%) said they would have used emergency responders, law enforcement, or hospitals:
37.1% said they would have gone to the emergency room8.5% said they would have needed an ambulance or law enforcement involvementAnother 27.7% said they wouldn’t have gotten help at all, suggesting risk of unmet crisis needs and potential escalation
These responses show how critical the Access Center has become to people in crisis and that it is relieving pressure on emergency rooms, jails, and first responders, which was a goal from the beginning.
Testimonials: “I feel safe here.”
We know that walking through the Access Center doors during a crisis is a big step. In recognition of the Access Center’s five-year anniversary, we’re sharing what patients have said about their experience:
“I was embarrassed and scared to come but I know I needed a safe place and help. Staff here are wonderful and I will always remember their kindness.”“Staff were friendly and caring as soon as I stepped through the doors…They listened patiently without judgment.”“It’s a calming place. The staff are amazing.”“I feel safe here and I appreciate all you do!”“I felt accepted and cared about! I also felt safe, which is really important.”“All staff treated me like I was worth something…I feel great coming back home with a great mindset.”
These quotes were shared by Access Center patients on their exit surveys.
Support From Our Community Partners
Community organizations say the Access Center has become a key part of Linn County’s crisis care system:
“We greatly value the presence of the Linn County Mental Health Access Center (MHAC) and the impact it has had on our community and the patients we’ve served over the past five years. MHAC fills a critical gap by providing timely access to crisis stabilization and withdrawal management services for individuals experiencing acute needs. Having this level of care available outside of emergency departments improves access, reduces strain on hospital systems, and ensures individuals receive appropriate, specialized support when they need it most. MHAC has strengthened our local continuum of care and has become an essential resource for both providers and the people we collectively serve.”
Stephanie Boesenberg
ASAC Executive Director
“As the Executive Director of Safe Place Foundation, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the extraordinary impact this facility has had, not only on the men we serve, but on the health and stability of our entire community. Over the past five years, MHAC has become an essential pillar in our local continuum of care. For our residents, it represents safety, dignity, and access to immediate help during some of their most vulnerable moments. For our broader community, it represents a smarter, more compassionate response to mental health and substance use crises, one that reduces strain on emergency rooms and law enforcement while ensuring individuals receive the right care in the right setting.
“The Mental Health Access Center is a critical safety net, a bridge between crisis and stability, and a model of what collaborative community care can look like when organizations align around a shared mission. Its impact is seen in stabilized individuals, safer housing environments, reduced emergency system strain, and stronger recovery outcomes across our region.”
Kyle Taylor
Executive Director of the Safe Place Foundation
“Congratulations on five years of providing compassionate, steady support to individuals and families during some of their most vulnerable moments. Your commitment to meeting people where they are, responding with urgency and empathy, and helping them find a path forward makes our entire community stronger. The ripple effect of your work extends far beyond your walls.”
Brock Milligan
ThriveNow Recovery Centers
“As Executive Director of CRUSH Recovery Community Center, I have had the privilege of working closely with the Mental Health Access Center over the years. Without hesitation, I can say they have been one of the most responsive, compassionate, and collaborative partners in our community.
“For individuals navigating mental health challenges and substance use concerns, timely access to assessment and stabilization services can make all the difference. The Linn County Mental Health Access Center provides a safe and supportive entry point into care, reducing barriers, preventing unnecessary law enforcement involvement, and helping people connect to the right services at the right time.
“Cedar Rapids is stronger because of the Linn County Mental Health Access Center. Their work not only stabilizes crises, it builds trust, restores dignity, and strengthens the entire behavioral health continuum in our community.”
Rodney Courtney
Executive Director, CRUSH Recovery Community Center
How to Find the Mental Health Access Center
The Mental Health Access Center, located at 501 13th St. NW in Cedar Rapids, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
No appointment neededServices are voluntaryAdults 18 and older are welcomeYou do not need to live in Linn County to receive help
If you or someone you care about is struggling, the Access Center is here and ready to offer safety, support, and a path forward.