New era begins in mental health services
By Terry Murry on Friday, December 3rd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UMATILLA COUNTY – Community Counseling Solutions is now Umatilla County’s sole provider of services for people in mental health crises or suffering from substance use disorders. Board of Commissioners Chairman George Murdock said that the state of Oregon has not responded to the mental health crisis, which means that jails are taking the place of recovery centers.
He said the county’s previous mental health provider did not do much work with law enforcement and those days are over.
“Community Counseling Solutions is right on top of that,” he said. “They have staff whose almost sole function is to interact with law enforcement.”
There are other areas where Murdock believes the public will notice a change as CCS moves forward. “The most visible of course is people on the streets,” he said. “I think they’re going to be doing that. I think you’re going to see added emphasis on young people, early intervention with mental health issues. They’re very much interested in working with our local school districts.”
Community Counseling Solutions took over the county’s substance use disorder services earlier from the county. On Dec. 1 it took over mental health services from Lifeways.
