May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to bring our voices together to advocate for mental health and access to care.
At Central City Concern, we know that mental health is just as important as physical health.
Around 50% of people in the U.S. will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition at some point in their life. Communities that have been historically and presently oppressed face a deeper mental health burden because of the added impact of trauma, oppression and harm. Mental health conditions often do not have one single cause. There are many possible risk factors that can influence how likely someone is to experience a mental health condition.
We asked Central City Concern employees how they take care of their mental health—whether or not they have a diagnosable mental health condition. Here are some of their answers:
I take care of my mental health by taking medication, doing yoga, going to therapy and making sure I prioritize plenty of time for rest.
-Scarlett
Being a person living with a few mental health diagnoses, I have to be very intentional about my mental health wellness. I tend to look at it in the same way I have approached physical fitness and training my body…just like in sports, if you’re injured you seek help from a physical therapist or a doctor. I do the same with my mental health and seek therapy and medications when needed.
-Kevin
I enjoy going on hikes amongst the trees and fresh air that is so readily available to us here in our area.
-Laura
I take care of my mental health using meditation and mindfulness practices, connecting with family and friends and playing with my dogs.
-Finn
Being mindful and honest with myself so that I don’t overextend in any one area is extremely important to maintaining my overall sense of balance.
-Sean
I am a therapist with a therapist! It’s necessary!
-Linda
The better sleep I get during the night, the better my mental health is.
-Debra
Learn more about mental health from these organizations
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Need mental health services in the Portland area?
Central City Concern offers mental health services at many of our locations. Call 971-361-7888 to schedule an appointment or learn more on our website.
Learn about additional options for Multnomah County residents who are on Oregon Health Plan or are uninsured on the Multnomah County Mental Health Services website.
Other mental health resources
Not in an immediate crisis, but need to talk to someone? The David Romprey Oregon Warmline provides peer support by phone. Any Oregonian can call 1-800-698-2392 for support.
Multnomah County offers crisis services, including their 24-hour crisis line at 503-988-4888. You can call for yourself or to get help for someone else. They also offer an urgent walk-in behavioral health care clinic and mobile crisis services. Learn more on their website, which also lists crisis lines for other counties in the Portland Metro area.
Mental health training opportunities
Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues offered online and in-person.
QPR, or Question, Persuade, Refer is a brief suicide-prevention training offered online and in-person.
