IOWA COTY, Iowa - A new center for people experiencing mental health or substance use problems is opening in Iowa City.
The Gazette reports the GuideLink Center is about 95 percent complete and will start operations in January.
The facility is meant to house people who now end up in emergency rooms or jail where they don't get ongoing treatment, direction or support.
The center will stay open 24 hours a day for overnight stays or crisis observation, although it won't handle medical emergencies.
When complete , it'll employ close to 40 people and be able to house 38 patients on a temporary basis
The GuideLink Center is similar to the Linn County Mental Health Access Center which recently opened in Cedar Rapids.
(Image from GuideLink Center)