The pandemic raised attention on efforts to help people facing mental illness.

Nationally, according to Mental Health America:

• 1 in 5 adults lives with a mental illness
• 50% of chronic mental illness starts before 14 years of age.
• In 2023, Oregon ranked 5th out of the 50 states with the highest rates of serious mental illness.

To help us understand the causes and possible solutions to our behavioral health issues, we have invited three experts:

• State Representative Rob Nosse of Portland serves as chair of the Joint Committee on Behavioral Health in the House.
• Ann-Marie Bandfield is a Marion County Health and Human Services Program Manager for many behavioral and mental health areas.
• Heather Jefferis is the Executive Director for the Council for Behavioral Health which helps support behavioral health workers in Oregon.