Our Challenge: Overview
Consistent with national studies that show mental health problems affect one in every five young people, thousands of Oregon’s children and families face daunting mental health challenges every day. Serious mental health problems, whether biologically or genetically based, can affect any child and family — regardless of age, gender, race or economic status. Problems can also be triggered by traumatic childhood experiences such as abuse, neglect or exposure to other stressful conditions in the child’s environment.
What can be done? As with all health conditions, the keys to successful recovery are early diagnosis, intervention and treatment. ChristieCare is committed to working as a catalyst and in partnership with families, mental health professionals, educators, employers and other community-based organizations to increase understanding of the problems affecting our children and families and to provide the treatment critical for successful recovery and resilience.
Without treatment, the costs for the individual and society are staggering: suicide, substance abuse, incarceration, depression, homelessness, unemployment and disability.
The involvement of family and community is critical in recognizing the warning signs of mental illness or exposure to abuse and neglect.