C.O. Health Council makes major investment in behavioral health efforts
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) The Central Oregon Health Council said Wednesday it has made a multi-million-dollar investment in four behavioral health causes: preventing youth suicide, bolstering mental health services for older adults, underinsured and uninsured persons, and veterans.
“We combined hard data with anecdotal gaps we know exist in the system,” explains the health council’s executive director, Donna Mills. “We know all of these populations need more help than they are getting, so we are taking focused action.”
Mills said the funding totals just over $4 million is is primarily from state Medicaid funds. The funds have been dispersed to local service providers for multi-year projects because of their close ties with each priority group.