Columbia Wellness

08/12/2025

It’s hot outside. Come by our offices at 921 14th Avenue and visit the Tropical Shaved Kona Ice truck until 1pm to cool off! The truck will then be at our 720 14th Avenue location from 1-3pm. Kona Ice

08/05/2025

- Press Release -

Cascade Community Healthcare and Columbia Wellness Receive State Endorsement for Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Teams

Centralia, WA — August 4, 2025 — Great Rivers Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization is thrilled to share some exciting news that marks a major milestone for behavioral health services in our region.

Cascade Community Healthcare and Columbia Wellness have officially received endorsement letters from the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) for their Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Teams. These endorsements place our region among an elite group—2 of only 8 teams statewide—selected to lead the way in transforming crisis response.

About the Organizations

• Great Rivers Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization (BH-ASO) serves as the regional hub for behavioral health crisis services across Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Pacific, and Wahkiakum counties. The organization partners with local agencies to ensure access to high-quality, cost-effective care, including 24/7 crisis response and recovery support.

• Columbia Wellness, founded in 1953, is a progressive behavioral health agency offering mental health and substance use services to over 10,000 clients annually. With five facilities across Cowlitz and Grays Harbor counties, Columbia Wellness is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) committed to integrated, evidence-based care.

• Cascade Community Healthcare is a nonprofit provider serving Lewis County and surrounding areas for more than 50 years. With six locations, Cascade offers a wide range of behavioral health services, including crisis intervention, substance use treatment, and primary care. The organization is accredited by The Joint Commission for its commitment to safe, high-quality care.

Serving the Great Rivers Region
This initiative will directly benefit the Great Rivers region, which includes the counties of Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, and Wahkiakum. These communities will now have access to faster, more compassionate behavioral health crisis care—right where it's needed most.

What This Means for Our Communities?

• Faster, On-Site Behavioral Health Response: Mobile teams respond 24/7 to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises in homes, schools, workplaces, and public spaces. Each team includes at least two trained professionals, often a clinician and a certified peer counselor, working to de-escalate crises and connect individuals to care.

• Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed Care: Teams are trained in SAMHSA’s best practices, including trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and crisis planning. Youth-focused teams offer developmentally appropriate support and can provide stabilization services for up to 14 days.

• Reduced Reliance on Emergency Services: These teams aim to minimize the use of emergency departments and law enforcement for non-emergency behavioral health situations, offering voluntary, community-based alternatives.

• Statewide System Integration: This endorsement aligns with Washington’s broader vision for a coordinated crisis care continuum, including 988 crisis line integration, crisis stabilization units, and designated crisis responders.

• This achievement is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of our local providers, community partners, and supporters. Together, we are building a more responsive, compassionate, and effective behavioral health system.

Thank you for your continued support.

For media inquiries or more information, please contact:
Great Rivers Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization
Trinidad Medina, Chief Executive Director

07/03/2025

In observance of Independence Day, Columbia Wellness offices will be closed Friday, July 4th.

Our essential Crisis Department and the Wellness and Recovery Center will remain open.

If you or someone you know is in crisis,
call us at (800) 803-8833 or 988.

To reach our 24 hour inpatient services, the Wellness & Recovery Center, call us at (877) 353-9840

06/27/2025

We have limited spaces available for our Longview ADIS (Alcohol and Drug Information School) class on Saturday, July 12th.
It is educational and focuses on decision making, as well as psychological, sociological, physiological, and legal consequences of alcohol/drug consumption and traffic safety.
This is an 8-hour course for $180.00.

Class is located at:

Columbia Wellness
720 14th Ave., (First Floor - SUD Outpatient Department)
Longview, WA 98632

To register, call us at 360-423-0203.

06/22/2025

Way to go Torrey!

Lower Columbia College recognizes three students with the highest grade point averages and most rigorous coursework in the following categories: baccalaureate, academic transfer, and professional/technical. This is called the Scholastic Achievement Award.

Torrey Burgoyne received an associate degree in substance use disorder studies in fall 2024. He was hired into his full-time position at Columbia Wellness several months before graduating, starting his career while completing his required internship hours and attending college full-time. https://lowercolumbia.edu/student-success-stories/torrey-burgoyne/

06/18/2025

Tomorrow, our offices will be closed as we honor Juneteenth, a powerful reminder of resilience, freedom, and the ongoing pursuit of justice.

Also known as Emancipation Day, Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Texas finally learned they were free, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. This day reminds us that freedom delayed is freedom denied, and the journey toward equity and unity continues.

In observance of Juneteenth, Columbia Wellness offices are closed tomorrow. Our essential Crisis Department and the Wellness and Recovery Center will remain open.

If you or someone you know is in crisis,
call us at (800) 803-8833 or 988.

To reach our inpatient Welllness & Recovery Center,
call us at (877) 353-9840

06/02/2025

Dear Participants, Volunteers, Community Partners and Sponsors,

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, participated, volunteered, and sponsored the 14th Annual Columbia Wellness Run the Path for Mental Health Awareness event on Saturday, May 31st, 2025, in Longview, WA! Your support and enthusiasm made the day truly special.

Together, we raised awareness and fostered a sense of community surrounding mental health, and your presence played a vital role in that effort. We hope you enjoyed the event and left feeling inspired by the collective spirit of compassion and understanding.

Thank you once again for being a part of this important cause. We look forward to seeing you next year at the 15th Annual Run the Path as we continue to promote mental health awareness in our community!

Warm regards,
All of us at Columbia Wellness

05/31/2025

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all participants who attended our 14th Annual Run the Path for Mental Health Awareness at Lake Sacajawea. The event featured a fun-filled morning with a run and walk, as well as informational booths hosted by various community partners. We are grateful for the involvement of every individual.

Furthermore, we would like to extend our gratitude to the volunteers who played a crucial role in ensuring the event's success. Big thanks to Kalama Fire Department for bringing a fire truck and kicking off the race. Their contributions were invaluable. We also appreciate the generous support of this year's sponsors, which enabled us to host this event.

Our sponsors include Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare, Umpqua Bank, Steelscape, Community Integrated Health Services, Community Health Plan of Washington, Great Rivers Behavioral Health, Coordinated Care, Propel Insurance, P. R. Worth Inc, Pavelcomm, and Innovative Sleep Centers.

We can’t wait to see you all again next year!

05/30/2025

Run the Path is tomorrow at 9am!

05/30/2025

Run the Path is tomorrow at 9am!

Visit https://www.columbiawell.org/impact-impact/run-the-path to sign up for FREE! 🎟️ We will also have day of race, signups beginning at 8:30am.

The first 400 participants will receive an awesome t-shirt 👕 and a cool runner's bag 🏃‍♂️, all on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to arrive bright and early! 🌅 Festivities will kick off at 9:00 a.m., and the race will start at 9:15 a.m.—let’s show our support and have a blast! 🎊

Special thanks to all of this year's generous sponsors for making this event possible. Kaiser Permanente Molina Healthcare Umpqua Bank Steelscape Community Integrated Health Services Community Health Plan of Washington rivers behavioral health, Coordinated Care, insurance, P. R. Worth Inc, Pavelcomm, and sleep centers.

05/29/2025

🚨 It's almost here!🚨

Our Run the Path, 5k Fun Run and Walk for Mental Health Awareness is this Saturday!

Not registered? There is still time!
(We will also have sign ups on the morning of the event!)

FREE T-Shirts to the first 400 entrants. These are first come, first served.

Our *Run the Path* 5K Fun Run and Walk for Mental Health Awareness is just around the corner! 🏃‍♀️💨

It’s not too late to join the fun and kick off your weekend with a dash of cardio and a splash of community spirit. We promise we won’t judge your running style—whether it's casual jogger or sprint-and-panting! 😂
Join us at Lake Sacajawea's Hemlock Plaza this Saturday at 9 a.m. for a morning of fun, awareness, and maybe a little sweat!
Sign up here: https://www.columbiawell.org/impact-impact/run-the-path

And guess what? We still have space for a couple more booths! So, if you’re a non-profit or community partner itching to get involved, don’t miss out on your chance to grab a free booth!

Contact Bob Crisman at 360-353-9388. He’s just hanging out, waiting for your call—so don’t leave him hanging!
Come for the run, stay for the laughs, and let’s show that !

05/27/2025

🚨 Attention, everyone! 🚨

Our Run the Path, 5k Fun Run and Walk for Mental Health Awareness is almost here!

Not registered? No worries!!

Our *Run the Path* 5K Fun Run and Walk for Mental Health Awareness is just around the corner! 🏃‍♀️💨

Still not registered? No worries! It’s not too late to join the fun and kick off your weekend with a dash of cardio and a splash of community spirit. We promise we won’t judge your running style—whether it's casual jogger or sprint-and-panting! 😂

Join us at Lake Sacajawea this Saturday at 9 a.m. for a morning of fun, awareness, and maybe a little sweat!

Sign up here: https://www.columbiawell.org/impact-impact/run-the-path

And guess what? We still have space for a couple more booths! So, if you’re a non-profit or community partner itching to get involved, don’t miss out on your chance to grab a free booth! Contact Bob Crisman at 360-353-9388. He’s just hanging out, waiting for your call—so don’t leave him hanging!

Come for the run, stay for the laughs, and let’s show that !