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Community Guide - May 2026

Mental Health Awareness Month

In this guide

    May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Basin has more to offer than most people realize. This guide pulls together local events, support groups, counseling resources, and crisis lines in one place. Whether you're looking for something for yourself, a family member, or someone you're trying to help, it's here.

    Before You Reach Out

    Finding mental health support in a rural area takes more effort than it should. That's just the reality. But the resources exist, the community shows up for people who need it, and asking for help is not a small thing. It's the right thing.

    If you're in crisis right now, skip ahead to the Crisis Lines section.

    For everyone else: this guide is organized from immediate need to longer-term support, so you can start wherever makes sense for where you are.

    Crisis Lines & Immediate Help

    These lines are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You don't have to be in danger to call. If you're overwhelmed, struggling, or just need to talk to someone, that's enough.

    • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988. Available in English and Spanish. You'll be connected to a local crisis center when possible.
    • Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741. Free, confidential, 24/7.
    • Oregon 211 — Call or text 211. Can connect you to mental health services, housing support, and other community resources across the state. Works in Klamath and Lake Counties.
    • Klamath Basin Behavioral Health (KBBH) Crisis Line — Offers 24/7/365 mental health crisis services for children, adolescents, adults, and families. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, please call at (541) 883-1030

    Local Counseling & Providers

    Klamath Basin Behavioral Health (KBBH)

    The county's primary mental health provider and the largest behavioral health clinic in southern Oregon. KBBH serves as the Community Mental Health Program and Local Mental Health Authority in Klamath County, and has been doing so since 1980. Services include walk-in screenings, psychiatric assessments and medication management, individual and family counseling, substance use disorder treatment, peer support, and school-based services. No one will be turned away for inability to pay. Walk-ins welcome at the main location.

    2210 N. Eldorado Ave, Klamath Falls · (541) 883-1030 · kbbh.org Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–5:00 PM

    The Link Access Center (KBBH + Sky Lakes joint facility)

    Offers walk-in behavioral health services and voluntary sobering services, providing a service entry point for individuals suffering from mental health and addiction challenges. Collaboration includes staffing and operations support from The Klamath Tribes to ensure culturally responsive services.

    1501 Foster Ave, Klamath Falls Open 24/7

    Sky Lakes Behavioral Health Clinic

    Offers services in Spanish and treats patients of all ages, including consultation, diagnostic, and medication management for a variety of behavioral and mental health issues. Appointments are by referral from a primary care provider; a provider's referral is preferred, but not required. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial insurance.

    2801 Daggett Ave, Klamath Falls · (541) 274-8640 · skylakes.org


    Transformations Wellness Center

    A nonprofit substance use disorder treatment program serving Klamath County, offering both residential and outpatient treatment. Outpatient services include SUD counseling, peer support, and medication-assisted treatment. Good option for those dealing with co-occurring mental health and addiction issues.

    Outpatient: 220 Main St, Klamath Falls · (541) 884-5244 · transformwc.org

    A few things worth knowing when you're looking for a provider in the Basin:

    Sliding-scale fees are available at some clinics if cost is a barrier. It's always worth asking. Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) covers behavioral health services through several local providers. Telehealth has expanded significantly and is a legitimate, effective option if in-person appointments are hard to access.

    Support Groups

    Peer support is different from therapy, and for a lot of people it's what actually helps them hold on week to week. These groups meet regularly in the Basin.

    NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group

    A free, peer-led group for any adult who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. NAMI Klamath Basin meets in-person on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 12:00–1:30 PM. Note that the location is currently in flux due to building damage at the previous venue — confirm the current meeting spot at namiklamath.org before attending.
    Schedule & locations @ namiklamath.org

    Alcoholics Anonymous — Klamath & Lake County

    AA meetings run throughout the week across Klamath Falls and surrounding communities. The Klamath & Lake County Intergroup serves Klamath Falls, Bly, Chiloquin, Keno, Bonanza, Malin, Merrill, Chemult, and Lakeview.
    Schedule & locations at klciaa.org

    Narcotics Anonymous — Klamath Falls

    NA holds multiple weekly meetings in Klamath Falls. The closest regular meeting is at Congregational Church of Christ.
    Schedule & locations at na.org

    Klamath Hospice — Grief Support Services

    Klamath Hospice runs one of the more comprehensive grief support programs in the region, and it's open to the community — not just families who've used their hospice services. Adult support groups cover a range of specific experiences: general grief, caregiver loss, pet loss, pregnancy and infant loss, survivors of suicide loss, and a walking grief group for those who do better moving than sitting. One-on-one sessions are also available if a group setting isn't the right fit. For kids and teens, they offer school-based support, summer grief camps (Camp Evergreen for ages 8–17, Camp Sapling for ages 5–11), and an Elf-Esteem holiday workshop. Group schedules vary, so call ahead or check their events page for current dates.
    (541) 882-2902 · klamathhospice.org/griefsupport

    Grief Support Group at Klamath Lutheran Hosted by Bristol Hospice

    You don’t have to grieve alone. Bristol Hospice offers a free grief support group meeting at Klamath Lutheran Church on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 1:30–2:30 PM. This group is open to anyone in the community who is navigating loss.
    For more information, contact Bristol Hospice · bristolhospice.com

    If you run a support group that isn't listed here, submit it through Basin Buzz and we'll get it added.

    For Families & Caregivers

    Supporting someone else through a hard time is its own kind of hard. A few things that might help:

    • NAMI Family Support Line — 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). Staffed by trained volunteers who are family members themselves.
    • Oregon Caregiver Coalition — oregoncaregivercoalition.org. Resources specific to family caregivers, including respite care options.

    Online & Statewide Resources

    • Oregon Health Authority — Mental Health — oregon.gov/oha. Statewide resource locator, insurance information, and crisis resources.
    • Open Path Collective — openpathcollective.org. Connects people to licensed therapists offering sessions at reduced rates ($30–$80) for those who don't have adequate insurance coverage.
    • 7 Cups — 7cups.com. Free online chat with trained listeners, plus paid therapy options. Good for people who aren't ready to talk on the phone.
    • Headspace / Calm — Both offer free or reduced-cost subscriptions for people experiencing financial hardship. Worth checking their websites directly.

    Events This Month

    Getting Outdoors

    This isn't a substitute for professional support, but it's not nothing either. The Basin's trails, refuges, and open space are genuinely good for the kind of low-grade weight that builds up when you don't notice it.

    The Klamath Marsh loop, Moore Park trail, and Upper Klamath canoe trail are all close, flat, and free. So is sitting by the lake. Check the events calendar for outdoor activities here.

    A Note from Basin Buzz

    We're a community events platform, not a healthcare provider. Everything in this guide has been compiled in good faith, but please verify details directly with providers before reaching out, especially for hours, availability, and insurance. If you know of a resource we missed, submit it and we'll keep this guide updated.