Viviendo sin la conexión familiar o social: soledad

Este artículo contiene los comentarios de lectores que respondieron a la encuesta sobre cómo afrontan la soledad.  OHA agradece a todos los que contribuyeron con sus historias. En 2019, en un parque de Cardiff, Gales, un perro se acercó a un hombre de edad mayor sentado solo en la banca de un parque. El hombre […]

Loneliness: coping with the loss of human connection

This article contains notes from Oregon Health News readers who responded to our survey about how they cope with loneliness. OHA warmly thanks everyone who generously wrote in. We’ve included many of your thoughtful responses throughout this article and at the bottom. In 2019, in a park in Cardiff, Wales, a friendly dog approached an […]

To prevent youth suicide, connection is key

A conversation with Jill Baker, OHA Youth Suicide Prevention coordinator, on how to identify and help someone in crisis In 2021, the most recent year for which we have data, suicide was the second leading cause of death in Oregon among people under 25. Oregon began tracking youth suicide data in 1999, when youth suicide […]

Psilocybin 101: What to know about Oregon’s psilocybin services

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 […]

Find the mental health support you need

Updated October 9, 2023 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 […]

Do you need to talk? Explore what resources are right for you.

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 […]

How to talk with others about getting the COVID-19 vaccine

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 […]

How exercise impacts your brain 

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 […]

How to support LGBTQ2SIA+ youth who have increased risk of suicide

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 […]

Understanding and addressing youth mental health challenges

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, […]