LA MARQUE

More than 100 people gathered Wednesday afternoon to tour and celebrate the ribbon cutting of the first county facility dedicated to housing patients needing mental health care.

The Galveston County Mental Health Wellness Center , which has been nearly eight years in the making, was lauded as “historic” by county officials who touted the facility as a means to help the county lead the way in efficient and effective mental health care.

The nearly 21,000 square-foot, $13.8 million facility at 1207 Oak St. is a collaborative effort between the county, its County and Judicial Criminal Justice Coordinating Advisory Council, the Gulf Coast Center and the state Legislature.

The facility offers intensive crisis services and an extended observation unit, which will focus on rapid st

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