NAMI advocates for increased mental health resources in East Multnomah County

The Senate Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health convened on March 25, 2025, to address critical issues surrounding mental health services in Oregon, particularly focusing on the urgent need for more psychiatric beds and improved treatment options for adolescents.

During the meeting, participants highlighted the significant shortage of adequate mental health resources in East Multnomah County, emphasizing that many adolescents are not receiving the necessary care. The discussion underscored the connection between delays in mental health aid and increased involvement with the criminal justice system, as individuals in need of psychiatric support often end up in emergency rooms without receiving appropriate treatment.

A representative from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) pointed out that the current system primarily relies on the state hospital for civil commitments, which is already overwhelmed. This reliance leads to a situation where individuals are uprooted from their communities and families, making recovery more challenging. The representative advocated for the establishment of more residential treatment facilities to provide care closer to home, arguing that timely intervention could prevent individuals from entering the criminal justice system.

The committee also discussed the need for reform in payment models for mental health services. Current funding structures do not support the operational needs of small treatment facilities, which struggle to accommodate fluctuating patient volumes. A shift to capacity-based payments was suggested as a potential solution to increase service availability.

As the meeting concluded, members expressed a sense of urgency to implement legislative changes and improve regulatory processes to enhance mental health care delivery. The overarching goal is to create a more responsive system that addresses the needs of individuals with mental health disorders, particularly youth, and to ensure that they receive timely and effective treatment in their communities.