Dr. Susan Bettis, Director of Training & Clinical Services in our counseling program, offers reflections on the state of mental illness in Oregon.
Out of the 50 states in our country, Oregon is in first place for the number of mentally ill people. We have more mentally ill than anywhere else in the country. For the absolute number, per capita, we are the highest. For available services for that cohort, Oregon is 21st. This is according to Mental Health America, the leading national nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all Americans.
What is it about our fair state that is producing such a dismal picture? Many answers are suggested. I can only report what we consistently hear from our clients, that living here can be tough, challenging.
Factors Contributing to Mental Illness in Oregon
The growth rate, particularly for the metropolitan areas, has been meteoric. Housing prices and rents have sky-rocketed. The number of tents and blue tarps on the streets and curbs serve as a depressing reminder. Mental health hospitals have downsized or closed, and the de-institutionalization movement left the mentally ill without choices and a safe place to stabilize.
Life on the I-5 corridor means more drug availability, and while other parts of the country suffer from the impact of addition and substance abuse, Oregon has long been in the center of the action. A new strain of methylamphetamines has recently hit our streets. The results have been deadly.
The availability of low cost and effective mental health services is compromised, particularly in the small and rural parts of Oregon. Too often, there is a shortage of professionals,and no way to pay for them in that insurance is mandatory in most agencies. And many of the affected folks simply lack the cognitive and motivational resources to locate and utilize the resources that do exist.
And there is the disaffiliation that Portland is notorious for. The experience of finding Portland unfriendly has been consistently reported by our clients. “Acquaintances are easy to find; friends, not so much.” “It is clickish here; nobody wants to make room for the new guy.” Loneliness and disconnection make self-care drop in importance.
Sometimes people just need someone to talk to…. and food, and medication, and doctor’s care, and a place to live.
William Temple House is one part of of the solution, providing 5,000+ hours of free and low-cost counseling to 500 individuals and families in the Portland area each year. Learn more about our services.