Union County seeing severe shortage of mental health resources since pandemic

Observer - 5/29/2023

May 26—LA GRANDE — Grande Ronde Hospital'sBehavioral Health Clinic recently received 110 referrals in just one week, a number that suggests both the shortage of mental health resources in the county and an increase in the demand for mental health services since the COVID-19 pandemic.

It's a number that also reflects a statewide trend. In 2022, a report prepared by Oregon Health & Science University for the Oregon Health Authority found that Oregon ranks fourth in the United States for a lack of accessibility to mental health services and providers.

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