Overcoming Barriers: A Journey into the Challenges Faced by Young People and their Families Dealing with Mental Health Issues in Oregon

The Oregonian/OregonLive is committed to investigating the challenges faced by young people dealing with mental health issues, particularly in the context of the state’s youth behavioral health system. In a new series, we delve into the struggles faced by families and parents as they try to ensure their children receive adequate treatment.

Emilene Valadez and Rene Miranda are seen speaking with their 17-year-old son at their home in Beaverton. The teen had relapsed over Christmas break, turning to cocaine once again. He opened up to his parents, expressing his fear of the consequences of his actions.

This story contains sensitive content related to substance use disorder and self-harm. If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988 for confidential support or visit 988lifeline.org.

As part of our investigation, we spent several months at Harmony Academy Recovery High School in Lake Oswego to understand the challenges faced by students dealing with mental health issues. Through interviews with teens, parents, educators, and service providers, we uncovered a range of barriers to quality care that have become more prominent in recent years due to underfunding and lack of resources within Oregon’s mental health system.

The teen recovery series highlights these barriers and sheds light on the struggles that families face as they navigate a complex web of policies and services designed to help young people overcome mental health issues. We hope that this investigation will provide valuable insights for policymakers, service providers, and families alike who are working tirelessly to improve access to quality care for all young people in Oregon.