In the Know by PDX Parent

PDX Parent is joined by a Portland mom of teenage twins, both of whom have needed mental health care since they were young. She shares advice on how to advocate for your child during the difficult process of wading through appointment waitlists and dismissal from providers, and why therapy has been so important for her family.

In our final series episode on youth mental health, our two mental health experts return to the recording studio. This time, they share the positives happening in the industry: Increased mental health screenings, community partnerships and advice for parents and caregivers on what to watch for, where to get help and how to start the process.

Our first, three-part series topic of In the Know is on youth mental health. PDX Parent first reported on this important topic in our February 2023 issue, and we wanted to explore this problem, and its solutions, even more in our new podcast. In our first episode, we sit down with two local mental health experts: An 8th-grade school counselor and a doctor at Randall Children’s Hospital. They discuss the rise of youth needing mental health support, why there’s a shortage of providers and the challenges they face in their workplaces.