The pervasiveness of mental health issues and child suicide rates leads Oregon to rank as the worst state in the country for the prevalence of mental illness.
And the state’s lack of child psychiatrists and school counselors leaves families waiting for months to get help.
Locally, multiple teen suicides have affected both Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Jefferson School District this year.
Oregon lawmakers want to help with a proposed bill requiring every student in grades 6 through 12 to undergo a mental health wellness check once every school year.
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Natalie Pate 