ABOUT LIFEWAYS
Providing Hope and Healing in Our Community
Behavioral health services have been an important part of the healthcare system in Malheur County, Oregon, for more than 60 years. The county first established mental health services in 1964, helping ensure that people living in one of Oregon’s most rural areas could access care close to home.
In 1973, Oregon passed the Community Mental Health Program Act (ORS 430.610–430.695), which created a statewide system of Local Mental Health Authorities and Community Mental Health Programs (CMHPs). Under this system, counties are responsible for making sure residents have access to behavioral health services. In 1997, as the needs of behavioral healthcare continued to grow and change, Malheur County transitioned its behavioral health operations to a newly formed nonprofit organization, Lifeways, Inc. About 24 county employees became the organization’s founding staff.
Today, Lifeways has grown to 270 employees and provides a wide range of services across Eastern Oregon, including mental health care, substance use treatment, crisis support, residential services, and recovery programs.
"Thank you all so much for taking good care of my brother."
Family Member of Client
Lifeways welcomes clients and staff from all walks of life regardless of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability or anything that makes us different. We embrace your authentic self and will continue to support all members of our community in their own journeys.
Our Story
For more than six decades, behavioral health services have been an essential part of the healthcare system in Malheur County, Oregon. Mental health services were first established by the county in 1964, ensuring residents of one of Oregon's most rural regions had access to treatment close to home.
In 1973, Oregon enacted the Community Mental Health Program Act (ORS 430.610–430.695), establishing a statewide system of Local Mental Health Authorities and Community Mental Health Programs (CMHPs). Under this framework, counties are responsible for ensuring access to behavioral health services for their residents. Recognizing the growing complexity of behavioral healthcare, Malheur County transitioned its behavioral health operations in 1997 to a newly formed nonprofit—Lifeways, Inc. Approximately 24 county employees became the founding staff.
Today, Lifeways employs 270 professionals and delivers an integrated continuum of mental health, substance use disorder, crisis, residential, and recovery services throughout Eastern Oregon, utilizing a multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, licensed therapists, nurses, peer support specialists, case managers, crisis clinicians, and residential staff.
Who We Serve
Lifeways provides comprehensive behavioral healthcare to children, adolescents, adults, older adults, and families throughout Malheur County and neighboring communities. As the Community Mental Health Program, Lifeways serves individuals regardless of their ability to pay and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for behavioral health crises.
- Serious mental illness
- Serious emotional disturbance in children
- Substance use disorders, including co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
- Individuals experiencing behavioral health crises
- Individuals involved with the criminal justice system
- Families and children needing behavioral health support
- Individuals with complex medical, behavioral, and social needs
Comprehensive Continuum of Care
Lifeways provides integrated behavioral healthcare across the full spectrum of need, including:
- Outpatient mental health services and child/family behavioral health
- Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
- Substance use disorder assessment, treatment, and residential care
- Secure Residential Treatment Facility (SRTF)
- 16-bed Psychiatric Hospital
- Crisis intervention and mobile crisis response
- Care coordination and case management
- Supported employment and peer support services
- Housing and recovery supports
- School-based services
- Forensic behavioral health services and civil commitment evaluation
- Community prevention and outreach
- Intellectual and developmental disability services through the Community Developmental Disabilities Program (CDDP)
Community Leadership
As the Community Mental Health Program, Lifeways serves as the behavioral health safety-net provider for Malheur County while partnering closely with commercial insurance carriers, the Oregon Health Authority, Coordinated Care Organizations, hospitals and emergency departments, primary care providers, schools, law enforcement, the Oregon Department of Human Services, Malheur County government, and community organizations. These partnerships promote coordinated care, improve clinical outcomes, reduce unnecessary emergency department utilization and hospitalization, and strengthen the overall healthcare system.
Looking Ahead: Project Hope
Lifeways is currently developing Project Hope, a $30 million behavioral health campus that will significantly expand access to integrated behavioral healthcare in Eastern Oregon. The project includes a Behavioral Health Medical Office Building, a Crisis Stabilization Center serving both adults and youth, a Secure Residential Treatment Facility, a Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program, Withdrawal Management Services, and expanded outpatient behavioral health services.
Project Hope reflects Lifeways' long-term commitment to building a comprehensive behavioral healthcare system that improves access, strengthens community partnerships, and meets the growing needs of rural Oregon.
Our Commitment
For nearly 30 years as an independent nonprofit—and for more than 60 years through its roots in county behavioral health—Lifeways has remained committed to providing accessible, high-quality behavioral healthcare to the people of Malheur County. We believe every individual deserves access to timely, compassionate, and coordinated care. Through strong community partnerships, clinical excellence, innovation, and responsible stewardship of public resources, Lifeways continues to fulfill its mission of providing hope and healing for generations to come.
Our Services
Substance Use and Addiction Services
- Low Barrier Alcohol and Drug Treatment
- DUII Treatment
- Anger Management Treatment
- Domestic Violence Services
- Harm Reduction Services
- Prevention Services
- Victim Impact Panel (V.I.P)
- SUD Parenting Classes
- Peer Support and Recovery Mentors (C.R.M)
- Supported Employment
- Supportive Housing
Crisis and Intensive Services
- 24-hour Community-based Mobile Crisis Assessments and Supports
- Forensics Case Management and Treatment
Adult Services
- Individual and Couples Counseling
- Treatment, Education, and Support Groups
- Community Health Workers (CHW)
- Peer Services
- Skills Training
- Exceptional Needs Care Coordinators (ENCC)
- Program Housing
Medication Management & Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Medication Management
- Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Medication Injections
Child and Adolescent Services
- Individual and Family Counseling
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (P.C.I.T)
- Parenting Classes
- Processing, Skills, and Therapy Groups
- Individual Peer Services
- Individual Skills Training
- Intensive In-Home Behavioral Health Treatment (IIBHT)
- Intensive Care Coordination
- Intellectual Developmental Care Coordination (IDD)
Residential and Psychiatric Hospitalization
- Lifeways Psychiatric Hospital
- Lifeways Residential Recovery Center
- Lifeways McNary Place (Secured Residential Treatment Facility)
Our Leadership
The true desire of this team is to help people, whether they are within the organization or being served by it.
Each of the following individuals are dedicated and committed to making Lifeways a company of integrity and service and to create a place where clients feel safe and cared for and can receive treatment designed especially for them.
