Saturday, May 29, 2021
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East Oregonian
A5
A month to remind that mental health needs exist all year
KAREN
WHEELER
OTHER VIEWS
S
ince 1949, communities across our
nation have observed Mental Health
Awareness Month. The tradition has
grown over the years and today, it’s stronger
than ever.
May is our official Mental Health Aware-
ness Month, however, the need for attention to
this important cause is a daily one. May also
offers a special time of year for a pause — a
time to reflect on how each of us can use our
voices and partnerships to raise awareness
about the importance of mental health in daily
life.
During this month, Greater Oregon Behav-
ioral Health Inc. is highlighting important
efforts within the health and human services
system to serve the behavioral health needs
of communities throughout Eastern Oregon.
The term “behavioral health” includes mental
health, substance use and problem gambling
in terms of the behaviors associated with these
conditions and how they impact a person’s
mind, body and spirit.
We are honored to join our providers in
raising awareness about the significant role
mental health has on one’s overall health and
wellbeing.
How far-reaching is the impact of mental
illness? Most people have direct experiences
with mental health — either they have needed
support or they know someone who has such
as family members, friends, co-workers and
others. The data show:
• 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental
illness each year.
• 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious
mental illness each year.
• 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a
mental health disorder each year.
• 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins
by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
• Suicide is the second leading cause of
death among people aged 10-34.
The COVID-19 pandemic further empha-
sized the importance of mental health in daily
life. The additional stress it created is difficult
to measure as seen by the impacts of increased
isolation, employment reductions, financial
impacts, family stressors and direct impact on
health for those experiencing the virus.
Now, as the laudable vaccination efforts
continue throughout Eastern Oregon, it
becomes increasingly important to consider
how we are supporting each other as we start
to find the “new normal.” Understanding the
impacts of the pandemic and reaching out for
help are both important ways to take care of
yourself, your friends and your family.
If you are in immediate danger, call
911. Lines for Life provides free, 24-hour
crisis lines for people who are experienc-
ing a mental health crisis, including suicidal
thoughts. There also is help for those who
are concerned about loved ones’ substance
use. You can find more information at www.
linesforlife.org. If you need help for an urgent
but not immediate matter, consider calling
the David Romprey Warm Line at 1-800-698-
2392.
Community mental health programs offer
an array of behavioral health and support
services in each Oregon county. These provid-
ers have 24/7 crisis lines and mobile crisis
response teams; Eastern Oregon numbers are
listed at www.eocco.com/members/crisis-
help. They also provide support for people
who are not “in crisis,” but want emotional
health support with any of life’s stressors.
Please remember: help is available. If
you are struggling, or know someone who
is, we want you to know that you are not
alone, and you matter. Help is here as you are
ready to reach out. The data shows how often
mental health issues exist in our communi-
ties. Research data also shows treatment is
very effective in helping people recover from
mental health issues, or live a higher quality of
life with chronic conditions.
By working together, and neutralizing the
stigma of getting help, we can have strong,
healthy communities where all individuals are
supported in achieving health, wellness and
their full potential.
We encourage you to assist us in sharing
this important message with your friends,
families and neighbors — not only during
Mental Health Awareness Month, but in the
months and years ahead.
———
Karen Wheeler is the chief executive offi-
cer of Greater Oregon Behavioral Health Inc.,
a nonprofit corporation that administers the
behavioral health medicaid benefit, nonemer-
gent medical transportation and community
engagement in 12 rural counties.
Oregon State, CCO partnerships to improve health in the state
DENNIS
BURKE
OTHER VIEWS
W
hen you hear of the Oregon State
University Extension Service,
what comes to mind? For most of
us, it is their long history of academic/rural
partnering to improve local agriculture and
natural resources.
While it is true the OSU Extension
Service has a rich history of serving and
improving local agri-business, it also is very
involved locally in less visible but equally
important ways that bolster local economies,
expand education and add to the health and
wellbeing of our communities.
OSU is a land-grant university founded
through a series of federal acts in the late
1800s through which the government
“granted” federal lands to states to be sold
to fund or endow colleges for the purpose
of teaching practical agriculture, science
and engineering. With a mission to research
practical-solutions-to-real-problems, this
academic and community partnership took
education on improving rural life all over the
state.
In the past, the Extension Service took
demonstration trains, boats, trailer exhibits
and other means to inform on improvements
in technology, practice, application and
other educational opportunities. This unique
focus and mission continues today with the
extra advantages of modern communication
options.
OSU has extension offices in all 36
Oregon counties and is uniquely positioned
to engage with Oregon’s rural communities
to cooperatively create solutions to their most
challenging issues. As a part of this broad
mission, OSU Extension Services is commit-
ted to improving health and health care deliv-
ery throughout our state. OSU’s College of
Public Health and Human Science recently
established a Center for Healthy Aging
Research where it is studying the impact of
biological, psychological, social and physical
factors on the aging process with the purpose
of helping people live longer, healthier lives.
It has been eight years since Oregon
created its innovative Coordinated Care
Organizations, a novel health care delivery
system designed to reduce costs, improve
patient experience and enhance the qual-
ity of care (the triple aim). Oregon’s CCO’s
quickly recognized the need for new partners
to create innovative solutions necessary to
achieve their mission. For example, under-
standing how to most effectively access the
health care system was identified as a major
patient challenge, especially in rural areas.
A partnership between OSU Extension, the
Oregon State University College of Public
Health and Human Sciences, OSU Profes-
sional and Continuing Education Office and
the Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Orga-
nization formed to provide quality training
for Community Health Workers.
A CHW’s role is to assist patients in
navigating the complex structure of health
care, improve compliance with care plans
and assist patients in appropriate care follow
up. Over the past five years the program has
trained nearly 200 workers who are practic-
ing across the state. The creation of the CHW
has been a very successful adjunct in work-
force development meeting a need in a new
and more effective way.
OSU’s Extension Faculty’s teaching and
training capacity, whether on campus, in
local extension offices or online, is extensive,
combining academic skills-based knowledge
and research with a needed local landscape
perspective. This local training orientation
makes the OSU program attractive to poten-
tial students.
It is my hope that I have expanded your
understanding of the broad mission and
objectives served by OSU’s Extension
Program. They provide a vital service in
improving livability within our state and
deserve our appreciation, encouragement
and support.
———
Dennis Burke is the former president
and chief executive officer of Good Shep-
herd Health Care System. Burke now does
consulting work with Eastern Oregon Coor-
dinated Care Organization.
Reflecting on unity, strength through diversity
ANDREW
CUTLER
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
Holiday offers us a
chance to remember
KELLY
FITZPATRICK
OTHER VIEWS
F
or the second year in a row, Memo-
rial Day observances in communities,
organizations and even within family
groups will look very different later this
month because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The parades, large ceremonies and other
occasions, which I and so many others in
the Oregon veteran community have always
found moving and meaningful, have not yet
been able to safely return in many places.
Yet, the importance of this day — and the
emotions and memories that it brings — have
not changed.
For countless families across our commu-
nities, our state and our nation, Memorial Day
is a stark and, often, painful reminder of those
loved ones who went to serve their country
and never came home.
Whether they volunteered during a time
of war, stood guard over our peace or never
expected to wear the uniform until their draft
card arrived — their service and selfless
sacrifice represent the best and highest ideals
that America has to offer.
We continue to feel their loss today.
In recent months, and particularly as we
have approached this year’s Memorial Day
holiday, I have found myself reflecting on the
themes of unity and strength in diversity.
It was just before the Korean War, in 1948,
that President Harry S. Truman issued Exec-
utive Order 9981 — abolishing discrimina-
tion based on race, color, religion or national
origin in the United States armed forces.
When war broke out in 1950, our country
entered the fray with a fully integrated and
desegregated military.
I believe those who have served our nation
in uniform know the meaning — and the
value — of unity more than almost anyone
else. We were trained to protect those on our
right and those on our left — and to trust that
they would do the same for us.
Every day in service, all that mattered was
someone had your six and was there to offer a
hand when you stumbled. Their color, nation
of origin, religion or sexual orientation were
not part of the equation.
After service, the diversity of our veteran
community is a source of immense pride and
strength. We are Black, white, Latinx, Asian
American and Pacific Islander, men, women,
transgender and nonbinary, young and old,
urban and rural, of every race, religion and
creed — unified through our shared service
and sacrifice.
The honored ranks of the fallen include
Sgt. John Noble Holcomb, who was born in
Baker City. John was awarded the Medal of
Honor posthumously for his extraordinary
courage and sacrifice during the Vietnam
M
Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian
Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. Tavis Johnson positions a flag in the Avenue of
Flags at the Hermiston Cemetery on Thursday, May 27, 2021, for Memorial Day.
War — where he single-handedly forced
an enemy retreat, despite being mortally
wounded, saving many American lives.
They include Erin McLyman, from
Eugene, who proudly enlisted in the United
States Air Force after recovering from a
severe, years-long addiction to drugs and
alcohol that began when she was in just her
first year in high school. She later enlisted in
the Oregon National Guard and was eager to
deploy to Iraq. She died March 13, 2010, in an
enemy mortar attack.
They include the 100th Infantry Battal-
ion — which became known unofficially as
the “Purple Heart Battalion.” The unit was
one of only two combat units during World
War II that was comprised of second-genera-
tion Japanese Americans (known as “nisei”)
who had briefly had their rifles stripped away
due to prejudice following the attack on Pearl
Harbor.
They would go on to fight bravely in
Europe, even as their families remained in
internment camps back in the United States.
The men of the 100th Infantry Battal-
ion earned recognition as the most deco-
rated American unit of its size and length of
service. The 18,000 men who served earned
nearly 9,500 Purple Hearts, 21 Medals of
Honor and an unprecedented seven Presiden-
tial Unit Citations.
And the honored ranks of the fallen
include Army Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe,
who was the first Black service member to
receive the Medal of Honor for service in Iraq
or Afghanistan for the heroism he displayed
after his Bradley struck a roadside bomb.
The explosion ruptured the Bradley’s fuel
cell, engulfing the vehicle and its occupants in
flames. Enemy fire soon rained down on their
position. But none of that stopped Sgt. Cashe
from acting quickly to save his soldiers.
Drenched in fuel, he pulled the driver and
five other soldiers from the burning vehicle
— saving their lives, while suffering second-
and third-degree burns over 72% of his own
body. Despite this, he insisted on being the
last person on a medical evacuation helicop-
ter.
Sgt. Cashe died 22 days later — on Nov. 8,
2005. He was only 35.
It is impossible to know exactly what was
going through the minds of Sgt. Cashe, Sgt.
Holcomb, Pvt. McLyman, the members of the
100th Infantry Battalion, and so many other
heroes as they made the ultimate sacrifice.
But we who have served know they were
motivated by the rare courage and devotion
common to those who have borne the battle
— to protect our nation, our loved ones back
home and our fellow service members.
The harsh reality of war and conflict is that
not everyone will make it home. Let us honor
the memory of heroes no longer with us —
not just on Memorial Day, but every day. And
let us strive to live up to the incredible exam-
ple they have set for all of us.
May we never forget our fallen heroes.
They were the best our country had to offer,
and their memory inspires us to be better.
Their courage moves us. The world is a better
place because of them, because they lived and
because they served.
May we never forget what they sacrificed,
and what their loved ones have lost.
Thank you for joining us today. And on
behalf of the Oregon Department of Veterans’
Affairs, I wish you and your loved ones a safe,
reverent and meaningful Memorial Day.
———
Kelly Fitzpatrick is the director of the
Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs and
Gov. Kate Brown’s policy advisor on veterans’
issues. She is a retired Army officer.
emorial Day holds a special
significance for me.
I joined the U.S. Army at a
young age, did my time honorably, and
then moved on in life. For me, at least
initially, my service was something I did
and got out of the way. I did not spend a lot
of time reflecting on my time.
As I aged, though, and watched or
covered numerous Memorial Day obser-
vances, I began to realize why the holiday
is about more than hot dogs and backyard
barbecues. I came to realize the holiday
represents a time to reflect on loss and to
celebrate the deeds of those veterans who
served and those who died in the service of
this great nation.
We live in a world seemingly constantly
tortured by anxiety. COVID-19, wars on
foreign shores, disruptions at home — it all
can be overwhelming.
Yet, I think Memorial Day can be,
and should be, a time to remember that in
every stretch of our nation’s history there
have been those who freely gave up their
comfort and, in some cases, potential
fortune to step up and serve. Many of those
men and women gave what Lincoln called
“the last full measure of devotion” and are
buried in cemeteries across the nation in
sections reserved for our war dead.
The men and women who serve now,
and served in the past, are truly the best we
have. The ones who did not live to return
home to see their loved ones deserve to be
remembered. Their memories, their names,
should not fade away into the empty halls
of history. They gave the most precious
thing of all — their lives — so our nation
could continue to prosper and move ahead.
Their lives cannot be seen as lost in
vain. And, in truth, they were not in vain.
We should all enjoy the upcoming long
Memorial Day weekend. The weekend
traditionally marks a clear dividing line
between spring and summer, and summer,
of course, always beckons with unrealized
opportunity.
Yet we should, if we can, take a moment
to recall why we can enjoy the long week-
end and why the holiday is now, and should
always be, important.
We cannot forget those who gave so
much for our nation, and while hot dogs
and barbecues are a lot of fun, in the end
the holiday weekend is about remembering
those perished for our democracy.
———
Andrew Cutler is the publisher/editor
of the East Oregonian.