The State's Largest Provider of Community Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Services Seeks a

[TexasTowelie]

The State’s Largest Provider of Community Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Services Seeks a Bailout


More than 18,000 Oregonians depend on Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare for treatment of serious mental illness and addiction, conditions that for many have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Portland nonprofit employs nearly 1,000 workers and provides services at 75 facilities, ranging from walk-in crisis centers to supportive housing for more than 700 clients, including at its new 52-unit Garlington Center apartments on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Kevin Fitts is executive director of the Oregon Mental Health Consumers Association and a former Cascadia client. He says the state's largest community mental health care provider is "too big to fail."

Records show it's in danger.

In a Jan. 15 letter to the Oregon Health Authority that WW obtained through a public records request, Cascadia CEO Dr. Derald Walker asked state officials for an immediate, $4 million bailout.

Read more: https://www.wweek.com/news/2021/02/03/the-states-largest-provider-of-community-mental-health-and-addiction-treatment-services-seeks-a-bailout/
(Williamette Week)

[KT2000]

1. Cascadia is in Washington too

sure hope there are not problems here. They are the only place short of the state psychiatric hospital that can take people in crisis.

[TexasTowelie]

2. I've posted a few threads about that hospital so I know that they have their own set of issues.

As someone who has asked for help for mental health issues I know how frustrating it can be to obtain assistance. I was still cognizant and recognized that I needed help--others are not as aware or fortunate. However, dealing with the system is so stressful that it almost drove me insane asking for help.

[KT2000]

3. You are so right

I just went through this with a friend. It was not Cascadia but the overall system, which I know in many instances is over worked and under financed, that has my friend headed for involuntary commitment. Maybe it was always going to work out that way but it has been weeks of hell for her and me too. It is so broken.