News & Stories for Oregonians
Oregon voters approved Measure 109 in 2020. The Oregon Psilocybin Services Act is the first law in the United States that establishes a regulatory framework for receiving psilocybin, also known as psychedelic mushrooms. (Read the law here.) “This can be a life-changing opportunity for many people’s health and well-being,” said Angela Allbee, manager for the […]
Available in Spanish If you’re experiencing stress, grief, political anxiety, loneliness, chronic health problems, financial uncertainty or any stressors, it’s normal to feel low or unsure of how to get help. Mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression, worsen under these conditions. Reaching out for help is a good first step to feeling better, […]
Available in Spanish The COVID-19 pandemic raised new challenges for many of us and brought existing problems into harsh light. When we asked readers how the pandemic changed them, one of the most common responses had to do with feelings of loneliness. Our desire and need for human connection are normal, and COVID-19 isolated individuals in […]
Available in Spanish Here is the truth: COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are safe, and they work. They are highly effective at helping prevent hospitalizations and severe COVID-19 illness. Being vaccinated and boosted allows people to move through life with a semblance of normalcy. Unfortunately, there is a lot of false information out there about COVID-19 […]
Available in Spanish The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many of us to be less physically active over the past two years, and that can affect our mental health. When we exercise, dance, play with our kids, ride a bike, shoot hoops, walk to work or any other activity that makes our hearts beat faster, our […]
Available in Spanish. A 2022 national survey shows that thoughts of suicide among youth identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, two-spirit, intersex and asexual+ (LGBTQ2SIA+) have increased over the last three years. The Trevor Project, a national non-profit focused on preventing suicide in this group, surveyed nearly 34,000 LGBTQ2SIA+ youth ages 13 to 24 […]
It’s not always easy being young, but throw in a pandemic with the isolation, uncertainty and missed milestones that go with it, it’s not only hard but can lead to mental health challenges. Unlike adults who’ve had years of experiences that help develop coping skills, kids are still learning and growing. In his 2021 advisory, […]
It’s been said the only constant is change, and during a pandemic that rings doubly true. Nearly every day it seems there’s new information sparking new worries, raising questions and compelling us to make decisions. There’s no doubt many of us are just plain tired of it. There’s even a name for it: change fatigue. […]
We’re all tired. We’re all stressed, unsure of what lies ahead. It’s been nearly two years since the COVID-19 pandemic upended our lives, and it’s getting old. The result? Pandemic fatigue – a mixed bag of emotions and behaviors that leaves us feeling just not ourselves. It takes a notable toll on both our mental and physical health. We talked with psychiatrist and Oregon Health Authority senior health advisor Dr. Margaret “Meg” Cary about pandemic fatigue, its effects and what we can do about it.
During the winter, the shorter days and lack of sunshine, coupled with the losses we may have experienced during the pandemic, can make us feel sad or even depressed. But how do you know if you’re just feeling the blues, or if it’s Seasonal Affective Disorder?
