It's never been easy to be a teenager—and unfortunately, the number of adolescents reporting poor mental health is only increasing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2023, 4 in 10 U.S. high school students had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and 2 in 10 seriously considered attempting suicide. Female students and LGBTQ+ students experienced more signs of poor mental health than their male, cisgender and heterosexual peers.

At the same time, in rural areas, it can be hard to access health care services and treatment. That is true for both youth and adults, especially with the rise in the number of people facing mental health challenges.

Columbia Pacific Coordinated Care Organization (CPCCO) has responded by supporting initiatives to help members of all ages in Columbia, Clatsop and Tillamook counties gain easier access to mental health services. 

These initiatives support members' mental health and substance abuse disorder needs, along with their physical health needs. "The theme is of people being served where they're already getting services-they can have all of their needs met in one place," says Rachel Paczkowski, Columbia Pacific Director of Behavioral Health. 

School-based mental health resources 

In Columbia County, Columbia Health Services provides school-based mental health services for easy access for students. These services are available in Vernonia, Clatskanie, Scappoose, St. Helens and Jewell schools. "Middle schools have a great need, so we are collaborating to strengthen support there," says Qurynn Hale, Columbia Pacific Behavioral Health Program Manager. 

Youth Era connects Oregon Coast youth  

Peer support is a good way for youth to work through anxiety and depression, and Youth Era is a positive resource, said Hale.  

Youth Era serves people ages 12-25 with opportunities to build leadership and advocacy skills through team-based learning and activities, including virtual options. In addition, Youth Era can refer members to counseling and other mental health services. Youth Era also hosts a Youth Advisory Council to support youth and share their ideas for solutions to challenges they are facing in the community, such as how to navigate substance use among their peers.

"This serves as a space for creating belonging for youth in Columbia County, growing up in a rural part of the state. It's cultivated feelings of hope, belonging-all of the necessary things to combat anxiety and depression," says Hale. 

Collaboration with OHSU Scappoose 

For adults, Columbia Pacific funds a pilot program, along with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Scappoose, to create a collaborative care model for members. This allows them to see their primary care provider (PCP) not just for their physical health, but about depression and anxiety as well. Behavioral health care managers work closely with members and their PCPs to keep track of treatment progress, make changes if needed and offer counseling. 

No matter where members are, they can get mental health treatment. "Behavioral health services are in almost all of our locations, so anyone within our region could access those where they're already getting care," says Kjersti Machado, Columbia Pacific Behavioral Health Program Manager.