NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES TO BECOME FULLY INTEGRATED ACROSS THE
BEAR RIVER HEALTH DISTRICT BEGINNING JULY 1
LOGAN, Utah — The Bear River Health Department (BRHD), under the direction of Box Elder, Cache, and Rich Counties, announces a major transition in behavioral health services effective July 1. The change will bring mental health and substance use disorder services under a single contracted provider, Bear River Behavioral Health, formerly known as Bear River Mental Health. This change will foster a more integrated and coordinated care system throughout the Bear River Health District.
For decades, behavioral health services in the Bear River Health District have been structured differently from those in the rest of Utah. Historically, the Bear River Health Department has provided substance use disorder services, while Bear River Mental Health has provided mental health services. While this approach has worked for many years, it has also created confusion for residents and for the many partners involved in supporting behavioral health in the community.
Bear River Mental Health will expand its role to provide both mental health and substance use disorder treatment services. As noted earlier, it will adopt a new name: Bear River Behavioral Health, bringing behavioral health services together under a single coordinated system.
“This transition allows us to create a more seamless experience for individuals seeking care,” said Jordan Mathis, director of the Bear River Health Department. “By bringing services together under one organization, we can ensure better coordinated treatment, improve outcomes, and ensure individuals receive the right care in a timely and effective manner.”
The integration reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen service delivery, improve efficiency, and better meet residents’ needs. It also supports more consistent oversight and reduces duplication across the system. This reduction in duplication will free up resources for individual treatment and care coordination.
The new model will align the Bear River Health District more closely with behavioral health systems used throughout Utah, particularly for Medicaid members. Bear River Behavioral Health will serve as a single managed care organization overseeing behavioral health services for Medicaid recipients, simplifying access and improving care coordination. It will also provide streamlined oversight to save taxpayer money by reducing the potential for Medicaid fraud and waste.
Rest assured, all residents can continue receiving behavioral health services from their current providers if they choose. All individuals already receiving care will be supported throughout the transition. The Bear River Health Department and Bear River Behavioral Health have worked closely with state and local partners throughout the planning process to ensure continuity of care and a smooth transition.
In addition, this new integrated behavioral health care model will include a newly constructed Behavioral Health Receiving Center (1980 N. 200 W., Logan, UT) to serve all three counties. This center is a critical component of the regional healthcare system, operating as a 24/7 community hub staffed by therapists, nurses, and case managers. It provides immediate crisis treatment, stabilization, and observation for up to 23 hours. These centers serve as a vital alternative to jails and emergency rooms, saving significant resources for law enforcement and taxpayers while reducing the trauma individuals experience during a crisis. The center is expected to be fully operational in mid-July. Additional information will be shared with the public as construction concludes, including details about the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the official grand opening of the center.
For most individuals, this change will create a more straightforward pathway to behavioral health services and reduce confusion across the district.