A new mental health crisis receiving center will not be built in the Uintah Basin, well at least not yet. The decision was a matter of state funding and while it was hoped that two receiving centers could be funded during the 2023 legislative session, in the end there was only enough for the one in the Bear River area of northern Utah which was first on the list. It is hopeful that the Uintah Basin is next in line for when funding is made available, possibly next year. Receiving centers are becoming more common in the state to serve as crisis response sites for individuals experiencing behavioral, mental health, or substance abuse challenges in need of immediate intervention and stabilization. Usually law enforcement responds to these situations and the receiving center offers an appropriate alternative to the ER or jail for those just needing crisis intervention. In August of 2022, state and local criminal justice partners met in Vernal to explore criminal justice services and struggles in the Uintah Basin. The possibility of a receiving center was supported as an option to relieve the strained system.
