Public Meetings

Adult Mental Health and Substance Abuse (Advisory Council)
First Wednesdays
10 AM - Noon
421 SW Oak Street
(This meeting may no longer happening - web site is not updated.)

Cascadia Consumer Councils

Garlington Client Council
1st Thursdays
10:00 - Noon Garlington Clinic 3034 NE MLK, Jr. Blvd.

Plaza Client Council
3rd Thursdays
3:00 - 4:00 PM
2415 SE 43rd Avenue

Children's Mental Health System Advisory Council
3rd Tuesdays
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Lincoln Bldg, 421 SW Oak St
Click For More Info…

Oregon Consumer / Survivor Council
2nd Wednesday of even numbered months
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
500 Summer St NE, Salem Oregon

Mental Health Planning & Management Advisory Council
1st Thursday of even numbered months
9:00AM - 11:45AM
Salem (location varies)
Click For More Info...

Oregon Patient Safety Commission
2nd Tues of even numbered months
12:30 - 3:30PM
Clackamas Community College
Wilsonville Training Center
29353 SW Town Center Loop East

Mental Health Facts

Percent of Americans ages 18 and older who suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year: 26.2

Percentage of people who commit suicide who have a diagnosable mental disorder: 90

Percentage by which the cost-sharing for addiction benefits exceeded that for medical or surgical benefits, according to a 2007 Health Affairs study of employer-provided benefits: 46%

Out-of-pocket savings per user of mental health and substance-abuse services in the best of seven plans studies by the NEJM before and after the implementation of parity in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: $87.06

Percentage of insurance plans that contained at least one plan feature that was more restrictive for mental health benefits than for medical and surgical benefits two years after the implementation of the Mental Health Parity Act: 87

Date on which President Bush announced that “health plans should not be allowed to apply unfair treatment limitations or financial requirements on mental health benefits”: April 29, 2002

Approximate success rate for the treatment of depression, according to NIMH: 80

PDX Hearing Voices

Read about us in the Portland Mercury!

Check out regular support and education groups and public events here.

Join the mailing list here.

Portland Hearing Voices is a new community group to promote mental diversity. We create public education, discussion groups, and community support related to hearing voices, seeing visions, and having unusual beliefs and sensory experiences often labeled as psychosis, bipolar, schizophrenia, and other mental disorders. We aim to reduce fear and misunderstanding, question stereotypes, promote holistic health options, overcome isolation, and create a more inclusive and supportive community.

We have a mental diversity approach beyond conventional medical labels, and explore creativity, spirituality, trauma, and sensitivity. We help each other learn from and live with our experiences, and struggle with emotional distress and pain while also respecting positive sides of what we go through. Non-judgmental; people taking medication, not taking medication, and considering options are welcome.

We ask the question, What do these experiences mean to you? and welcome diverse personal interpretations and ways of coping. Throughout history the mysterious meaning of “madness” such as hearing voices has defied any final explanation, and we seek to create greater understanding through dialog and community-building. Groups and events are donation based and low-income accessible; no one turned away for lack of funds.

We work with and refer people to counselors and holistic health practitioners who share our perspective and can offer accessible services to the community.

Portland Hearing Voices is led and managed by people with lived experience of hearing voices and psychiatric diagnosis. We are a 501(c) non-profit under the fiscal sponsorship of the Mental Health Association of Portland. We are currently all-volunteer and in the process of seeking funding and resources, Program Director is Will Hall and Outreach Director is Jess Jinkies.

What are the goals of Portland Hearing Voices?

Regular public education events like the showing of the BBC documentary “Hearing Voices”
Discussion and support groups, including an ongoing Voices and Visions group (modeled on successful groups in the UK), and Holistic Mental Health group. All groups low-income accesible.
Training and consulting for mental health and other service providers.
Resource referrals to non-judgmental counseling, holistic healthcare, and other support.
Website portal to resources and learning about hearing voices and unusual sensory experiences.
Opportunities to meet each other and weave a community together.

How can we help Portland Hearing Voices?

Make a financial contribution; all donations are tax-deductible, payable to Portland Hearing Voices/MHAP
Help us find locations to hold public educational events and for our discussion groups.
Help us fill our job search opening for a Development Director; more on our website.
Volunteer, spread the word, build our website and more – contact Jess Jinkies.
Partner with us to create a new project or group. We want your ideas and involvement!

Download our informational flyer

Listen to our radio Public Service Announcement