Our History

High Plains Mental Health Center was founded in 1964 as a four-county cooperative effort. The agency quickly grew to serve 20 Northwest Kansas counties, with headquarters in Hays and Branch Offices in Colby, Goodland, Norton, Osborne and Phillipsburg.

Contact Us

(785) 628-2871

Main Office

208 E. 7th St.
Hays, KS

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Crisis Hotline

(800) 432-0333

High Plains Mental Health Center History

Founded in 1964 as a four-county cooperative effort, High Plains Mental Health Center has grown to become Northwest Kansas’ premier provider of mental health and substance use services. High Plains quickly grew into the 20-county agency it is today with headquarters in Hays and full-time offices in Colby, Goodland, Osborne, Norton and Phillipsburg.

High Plains opened its doors in 1964 with a total budget of $32,000. The Center rented four offices and a lobby from the former Hadley Regional Medical Center for $100 per month and employed a total of three full-time employees. By 1970, High Plains had expanded to all 20 current counties: Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Logan, Ness, Norton, Osborne, Phillips, Rawlins, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Trego, and Wallace.

The Hays Main office has been located at 208 E. 7th St. since 1977. High Plains Mental Health Center grew significantly throughout the 1980s and 1990s. While much of the Mental Health Reform funding that contributed to this growth was cut in the mid-2000s, High Plains remains at the forefront of mental health and substance use treatment. High Plains Mental Health Center also was an early adopter of telehealth technology, with video conference units in every county hospital and jail. 

High Plains Mental Health Center is a non-profit organization and one of 26 licensed Community Mental Health Centers in Kansas. We cover a 19,000 square mile catchment area, with services becoming more accessible than ever due to enhanced telehealth capabilities. With a staff of 140 and more than 55 years of experience, we’re confident when we say, “We’re Here for You.”

Call: 800-432-0333

208 E. 7th St., Hays, KS

Our Hours

Monday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday

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