Next year a 9-1-1 mental health emergency call won’t automatically bring a Portland cop
December 6th, 2011Cascadia was part of a multi-agency team to develop the new Multnomah Call Center integration with 911. It launches in January.
New York Times profiles mental illness success stories
November 29th, 2011Written by Benedict Carey of the New York Times, Lives Restored, is a fascinating read. It’s a series of profiles about people who are functioning normally despite severe mental illness and have chosen to speak out about their struggles. We recommend taking some time to read the articles and watch the videos to better understand mental illness and how people can recover successfully.
Part One: Expert on Mental Illness Reveals Her Own Fight
Part Two: Learning to Cope With a Mind’s Taunting Voices
Part Three: A High-Profile Executive Job as Defense Against Mental Ills
Part Four: Man Uses His Schizophrenia to Gather Clues for Daily Living
Portland police using new ‘step back’ training to deal with people in mental health crisis
October 10th, 2011Among others in the professional mental health community, Derald Walker was quoted in a story about the most recent success in the way Portland Police handled a case of a potential crisis with an individual with a mental illness. A grant from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law helped fund an initiative where police supervisors study how to eliminate unnecessary police encounters with people suffering from mental illness. This is a significant change from previous practices and Cascadia is proud to be a leader in this movement.
Oregon group wants to rein in use of mental health drugs
October 3rd, 2011Meghan Caughey, Senior Director of Peer and Wellness Services at Cascadia, was featured in an Oregonian article about the growing debate over the long-term efficacy of psychiatric drugs. The article profiles a few individuals in the mental health community and their perspectives on this important and very present issue. This is a must read for anyone in the field, and demonstrates how Cascadia works beyond its borders to improve behavioral healthcare services.
Spreading the message about how to “Get Free Help”
August 18th, 2011
Cascadia took to Tri-Met busses in August to let people know about the free help with gambling addictions that are available to anyone who lives in Multnomah County (also available in Clackamas County). One can be seen here near downtown Portland.
The Problem Gambling program provides free treatment for adults dealing with problem/pathological gambling. Services include individual, group and family/significant other inclusive treatment.
More information: 503-239-5952
Cascadia Board Chair Rick Cagen departs
July 12th, 2011The Board of Cascadia BHC announces the departure of Chair, Rick Cagen, an expert navigator during Cascadia’s financial crisis. He’s assuming the role of president of Silverton Hospital Network, precipitating this change. At the same time we welcome Captain Donna Henderson, Portland Police officer since 1988 and graduate of Lewis & Clark Univeristy’s Masters in Counseling program.
CFO Beth Barker Honored with Non-Profit CFO of The Year
May 31st, 2011The Portland Business Journal named Cascadia’s Chief Financial Officer, Beth Barker, CFO of the Year at their annual awards luncheon on May 5. She was recognized for playing a major role in Cascadia’s recovery after the organization nearly collapsed in 2008.
Read more about Beth and her efforts in the complete story (pdf).
Cascadia’s Derald Walker Honored with National Visionary Leader Award
April 5th, 2011Derald Walker, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare is being recognized by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare with the 2011 Award of Excellence for Visionary Leadership. His visionary leadership not only saved Cascadia from bankruptcy, but has since expanded services and resources available in the community.
Mental Health Studied To Help Prevent Officer Shootings
January 7th, 2011“A separate group of local police and mental health experts are in their ninth month of studying how to eliminate unnecessary Portland police encounters with people suffering from mental illness and have reviewed 40 nonfatal encounters since March 2009.
“If we don’t fund the community health system, unfortunately we’re vulnerable for these events to occur,” said Dr. William Nunley, the study’s project coordinator who works with Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare and the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law.”
Read: Portland Chief Mike Reese vows to search for ways to reduce police use of deadly force
How Cascadia works with the news media
Cascadia's highest priority is the well being of the people we serve. Cascadia strives to be transparent and accessible. We want to tell our story, and we appreciate working with representatives of the news media who help us meet our commitment to openness.
Please direct all news media inquiries here: E-mail: media@cascadiabhc.org
During normal business hours please contact Cascadia's Executive Support Team. They will assist you in reaching the person you need to speak with.
Jeannie Snow at jeannie.snow@cascadiabhc.org or 503.552.6261
Client waiver and release of liability
Cascadia employees use this to document a client's consent to participate in an event or interview, being audio or videotaped, or being photographed. Unless a client has consented to involvement with the news media or relevant others, and has completely executed a release of liability form, client contact is prohibited, including quoting a client by name in a news story.
Clients are independent citizens of the community and have the right to choose to have any involvement with the news media or others at non-Cascadia in locations with no requirement of signed consent.
Release Form