behavioral health

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A bill to increase the penalties for assaulting hospital workers died on the desk of Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney, who has long championed equity in mental health services. | JONATHAN HOUSE/PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP

How Hospital Worker Felony Assault Bill Fell Victim To The Short Session 

Interviews shed light on how the House passed a bill with stiffer penalties for assaults on health care workers, but supporters’ last-minute efforts failed in the Senate. The bill had sparked concerns it would cause further criminalization of mental illness.

Mar 10, 2022
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An artist's depiction of a proposed psychiatric hospital proposed for a site in Wilsonville. | UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES

Company Yanks Plan For Controversial 100-Bed Psychiatric Hospital in Wilsonville

Move by Universal Health Services follows tentative state approval last October for a scaled-down 60-bed facility if it assists hospital emergency departments with their boarding problems.

Feb 21, 2022
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SHUTTERSTOCK

For Steve Allen, Behavioral Health System’s Overhaul Is Deliberative Work 

An Oregon Health Authority proposal to charge counties for unaccepted Oregon State Hospital patients won’t kick in until at least 2023, if ever.

Feb 15, 2022
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Delay For Behavioral Health Money Stirs Concerns

Oregon’s slow roll out of a $1 billion package in behavioral health is raising eyebrows.

Feb 8, 2022
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Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

House Bill Would Bolster Behavioral Health Workforce

The state would provide incentives to retain and recruit employees in the behavioral health care industry as policymakers seek a long-term solution.

Feb 3, 2022
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Court-Appointed Expert Spotlights Community Role In Oregon State Hospital Problems

The expert's report will spawn legislation aimed at pressuring counties to house discharged state hospital patients in community based programs.

Feb 2, 2022
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregonians Of Color Hesitant To Seek Behavioral Health Care, Survey Finds

The results indicate fear of discrimination, a lack of multilingual and multicultural providers, and other issues create barriers to access.

Jan 27, 2022

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LILY MORALES RECENTLY FOUND SHELTER AT THE LOFT IN BEND. THE OREGON LEGISLATURE APPROVED $5 MILLION IN PLANNING GRANTS TO IDENTIFY NEEDS IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEMS. J BAR J YOUTH SERVICES IS USING ITS PIECE TO BOOST ITS ABILITY TO HELP HOMELESS TEENS LIKE MORALES.DEAN GUERNSEY/THE BULLETIN

State Grant Could Boost Behavioral Health Services For Homeless Youth

J Bar J Youth Services in Bend plans to ask youths what they need and then implement program growth based on their answers.

Dec 21, 2021

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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Lawmakers In Salem Consider Behavioral Health System’s Needs

The system faces immediate needs to retain workers during the pandemic amid long-term plans that may transform it.

Nov 18, 2021
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THE WEIRICH FAMILY IN MARYLAND IN 2015 BEFORE THEY MOVED TO OREGON. FROM LEFT: GRACE, MAGGIE, ANGELA, ELI, MAYA AND KATI./ANGELA WEIRICH

Children in Crisis: Mental Health, Addiction Care Falling Short For Distressed Children

This is the first of a four-part series on the problems facing children’s mental health care providers in Oregon.

Nov 4, 2021