White House Releases A Proclamation to Mark National Mental Health Awareness Month 2022

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, an annual campaign aimed at educating ourselves and raising awareness about the importance of mental health and the harmful effect of the stigma associated with mental health. Stigma associated with mental health can cause those suffering to feel judged or bullied, making the road to recovery more difficult. Mental health issues may affect individuals through out the continuum of life, and shifting public perception on mental illness as well as providing support and treatment to those in need is essential. Click below to read the proclamation. 

Women are signing up for mobile sports betting apps at a faster rate than men 

New data has revealed that U.S. online betting companies are now seeing an uptick in women usage rates higher than ever before, with some betting apps now boasting more women on their platforms than men. According to a report by Global Wireless Solutions, more than 4.6 million women joined the sports betting app in the United States last year—a 115% increase in the number of female users compared to 2020.

Police Say Cartels in Oregon are morphing their pot-growing ops

According to Oregon police, drug cartels that established illegal outdoor marijuana farms in Oregon last year are adapting as pressure on them begins to mount. New challenges are emerging as a task force created by the Legislature met for the first time to figure out how to combat cannabis-related problems, some of which threaten Oregon’s legal, regulated recreational marijuana industry.

Oregon state, local agencies making changes to combat Fentanyl crisis



Too many Oregon families, including those of two Portland high school students earlier this month, grieve the loss of their loved ones to illicit fentanyl. Illicit fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin, cheaper and easier to manufacture and more addictive. It also carries a greater risk of overdose. Given these concerns, the Oregon Health Authority is working to award measure 110 funding to substance use treatment providers statewide.

On April 19, 2022, the Big Village coalition hosted a virtual event on Fentanyl and Teen Substance Use. In partnership with Portland Public Schools, Multnomah County and Big Village held conversations and shared information about substance use and fentanyl. You can watch the recording here.