Mental health problems in Coos Bay: why don't people get help?

A couple of fingers causing ripples in water.Photo byYoann BoyeronUnsplash

It's generally pretty well known that in Coos Bay, Oregon, there are many that have the ability to get mental health assistance yet they simply don't bother. Why is that and what are some of the options? Here's a bit more on the matter.

One option in Coos Bay is a place called Coos Health and Wellness. This is a place where you can access many mental health services. According to their website, you need to have an initial visit to become a regular patient and you can even do a walk-in instead of needing an appointment.

So why wouldn't people want to just walk in and get their mental health under control? One reason could be that mental illness makes it significantly more difficult to organize yourself to a point where you can make it there and back. Perhaps there are transportation issues or maybe people just don't know what to expect so they're too anxious to show up.

If you're on some form of low-income assistance, you can usually arrange medical and mental health rides that you don't have to pay for. You can see an up-to-date list of your travel options at the Oregon Health Authority's website.

Many people with mental health problems don't actually realize they need help or they have no ability to seek out the help they need for other reason. Perhaps paperwork gives them anxiety or maybe they are not ready to share their traumas with someone else.

Drugs and alcohol are a big factor in the choice to get help. Many that are not ready to get clean are going to remain outside of the system. Most mental health professionals won't even work with someone if they are obviously intoxicated, which is to protect everyone involved but it can also make it difficult for some to access the care they need since they are not always able to remain sober part of the day.

Coos County does have its issues, but the good news is that things should be gradually improving, at least they will as long as housing prices stay a bit more stable. As it stands, rent is still a big barrier for those that need to get on their feet since mental health issues can make generating enough income for a home a challenge.

In Coos Bay, Oregon, you can generally see that there is a homeless population of mentally ill folks that is growing. Whether it's due to the big climb in prices or something like addiction, there are options. It can be very frustrating to see that there is help and that some just won't go get it.

What are your thoughts on the state of Coos Bay's mental health and homelessness issues? Do you have any ideas as to what could help this situation get better? Let us know in the comments!

One way to get emergency help is through the crisis line at Coos Health and Wellness so if you're really struggling and need to talk to someone, call 541-266-6800.