Blog

As many of you know, a recent report from Mental Health America highlights the fact that Oregon has some of the highest rates of mental illness and substance use challenges in the nation -- yet we have fewer resources to get treatment and mental health care. An incredible young woman, Amanda Southworth, 20, taught herself to code and create apps when she was just 13 years old. She has recently developed an app to help increase access to care for mental health: Aetheria. Aetheria is a free...

Mental Health America empirically evaluates the nation in mental health care and Oregon dropped from 46 to 50 from 2021 to 2022. Oregon has never ranked higher than 40 since the ranking's inception in 2015. Follow this link to see the reports.

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health researchers collaborated with the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission to lead an unprecedented study that inventoried and analyzed the gaps in select services for substance use disorder prevention, harm reduction, and treatment and recovery, bringing health equity issues to the forefront in Oregon. The data shows the state would need to double its services to adequately address the current health needs of Oregonians...

Meals on Wheels is a wonderful program that's been delivering meals to seniors for over 50 years in the Portland area and beyond. A few years ago, a hospital had asked if they would be able to expand their service to include providing meal delivery for people with chronic medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease. They whole heartedly agreed to help and since that time, the data has shown that people with chronic medical conditions who receive "medically tailored meals" were...

At least 60 percent of students that enter our classrooms daily have been impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Many of these students are impacted by chronic stress that impacts their ability to function successfully at school. These kids and young adults are at a great disadvantage in their social development and ability to regulate healthily. They need caring adult relationships to help regulate their nervous system and provide opportunities for their brains to calm down so...

A recent article from Oregon Public Broadcasting is highlighting the research from a study out Monday from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The study examined children's wellness and uses data from the National Survey of Children’s Health . It found that in Oregon from 2016 to 2020, the number of children reporting depression and anxiety actually increased by a staggering 40%. As a mental health professional, I can only imagine that that percentage increased during the subsequent years of an...

This July, Mental Health America is celebrating BIPOC Mental Health Month, formally recognized as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and we want YOU to join us! Go to mhanational.org/july to download the full toolkit, shareable images, and resources list. In this toolkit, you can also find actionable ways to support BIPOC communities and honor the legacy of Bebe Moore Campbell, the pioneer whose advocacy and visionary work first led to July’s formal...

In a wonderful step towards ensuring better care for postpartum parents, Oregon joins three other states in expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage to one year. Please head to https://www.forbes.com/sites/e...05691802c8c524b7f679 to read the full article. This is thrilling and a significant step forward in the impact it will have on the lives of parents and newborns in our state and beyond!

In a rare opportunity, Oregon Food Bank CEO Susannah Morgan addressed the United States Senate Committee on Finance – chaired by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) – to provide witness testimony on the topic of Examining Charitable Giving and Trends in the Nonprofit Sector . In her testimony, Morgan shared the importance of community support while reinforcing the best way Congress can reduce hunger: federal action on proven solutions that directly support families and address systemic barriers to...

Has the pandemic stressed you out? Want to learn the self-soothing skills of Mind Matters: Overcoming Adversity and Building Resilience directly from the author, Dr. Carolyn Curtis? Good news! The Dibble Institute has received generous funding for scholarships to the online, full 12-lesson series, Mind Matters Now . The course helps teachers, social workers, medical professionals, and others manage their stress by building resilience skills and practices for mental well-being. (CEU’s are...

We want you to join us on Monday, February 7th for our virtual State Capitol Day event! This is our annual event to focus on suicide prevention in advocacy. Participants will hear from legislators, learn how to make their voices heard, and discover what priorities American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Oregon is targeting this session. Our advocacy doesn't stop there! Registered attendees will have the opportunity to meet with legislators throughout the month of February. Register now.