McNary Place

McNary Place is a secure residential facility located in the City of Umatilla which opened in December of 2007. It is a result of state-wide efforts to provide better care for seriously mentally ill people, and fits well with Lifeways’ mission of enhancing emotional well being and family stability.

Over the years, the number of state hospital beds has been significantly reduced, leaving few options for those needing acute, psychiatric inpatient care. The result is that more individuals with mental illness stay in the community with insufficient help or return to the community after short inpatient stays. McNary offers better care in secure but home-like surroundings.

Some residents will be “forensic,” which means they have committed a crime, but judged incompetent or not guilty due to insanity, and have been hospitalized in the state hospital for an extended period of time. When they come to McNary they will be stabilized, but often for their own safety still need secure support while they are treated. Other residents will come directly from Eastern Oregon communities to stabilize acute mental health problems.