Mental illness is a contentious issue on a global and domestic scale.
In the U.S., every state and city varies widely in terms of available mental health resources, whether it’s a clinic, acute treatment hospital, or general counseling services.
At time of writing, Oregon is just over the 4 million population mark. Of those people, about 4.6% of those adults will have a severe mental health condition. According to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), approximately less than half of all adults with a mental illness in Oregon will receive any kind of mental health treatment.
Here are some common issues affecting the state of Oregon:
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD): The lack of sunshine in places like Portland makes it easy to get the “winter blues”.
- Suicide: Suicide is the number one cause of deaths for veterans in Oregon under the age of 45. For the past 30 years, Oregon continues to have a higher than average rate of suicide than other states.
- Addiction and substance abuse: Less than 11% of Oregon’s drug addicts will receive treatment. Overdosing rates have fluctuated through the years, but the state’s substance abuse issues still remains an epidemic.
- Drastic budget cuts: Drug treatment programs are filled at maximum capacity, many patients are only being admitted to hospitals after spending time in jail, and lawmakers have repeatedly blocked measures to increase funding for hospitals and clinics.
Even though Oregon has a long way to go, the state has implemented some changes to benefit Oregonian residents. Schools have mental health days for students who need a break, in Eugene there’s a mental health crisis team that reaches out to people on the streets, and many practitioners are using teletherapy to help treat remote patients.
Here’s why teletherapy may be an answer to the Oregon mental health crisis:
The majority of Oregon consists of small to medium-sized towns with limited health resources and overworked staff. In rural communities, access to mental health is scarce and sometimes even nonexistent, which makes these populations at heightened risk for mental illnesses and substance abuse. Options like teletherapy give people the ability to talk to a professional from the comfort of their home. Teletherapy is the practice of online counseling through phone, webcam, email, or text. Many rural Oregonians have to drive to larger cities, which is costly, both in time and finances. Reducing one’s carbon footprint is also a factor for why teletherapy works so well for those who prefer to save on gas expenses. Teletherapy can help bridge the gap in rural communities as it is often cheaper, offers support between routine therapy sessions, and virtually available everywhere. There are studies showing the efficacy of teletherapy, and the long term benefits they can have on reducing severe mental disturbances like depression.
If you’re ready to take control of your mental health, there are resources available to you. Our free Facebook group is specially made for digital nomads and entrepreneurs, but is also a safe space to talk about challenges you’re navigating through. If you want to talk to a professional privately, please feel free to book a consultation call HERE with me. If you’re experiencing any emergency right now, please don’t hesitate to call 911 or emergency services.
Resources: Portland Mental Health: A Silent Predator, Upcoming Announcements, Mental Health Resources in Oregon
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