Salem, Oregon – Oregon has implemented an unusual approach to deal with the chronic lack of mental health workers. Governor Tina Kotek just started the Behavioral Health Talent Assessment, a new group that will come up with clear solutions for Oregon’s behavioral health workforce challenge. The committee, which will officially start working soon, is made up of professionals and specialists from every part of the state who will try to find the fundamental causes of staffing shortages in mental health and addiction care.
Aimee Kotek Wilson, Oregon’s First Lady, is in charge of this council. She uses her experience as a social worker to help and develop. Julie Ibrahim, CEO of New Narrative; Eli Kinsley, Director of Operations at Bridgeway Community Services; and Robin Sansing, Director of the Behavioral Health Initiative at Southern Oregon University will be her three vice-chairs. There are 22 people in the group, including service providers, healthcare leaders, educators, and those who have worked in or are about to work in the behavioral health area.
Governor Kotek talked on how important the endeavor is and how many Oregonians are waiting for mental health and addiction help since there aren’t enough qualified specialists.
“Every Oregonian deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare, including mental health and addiction services,” said Governor Kotek. “The lack of mental health and addiction professionals in Oregon threatens that vision, particularly for our most vulnerable communities. This council will go deeper into the issue and develop solutions that will strengthen our behavioral health system and improve access to care across the state.”
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The Council has until January 31, 2026, to come up with a full plan for the workforce. Their work will build on a recent report from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission that found a number of problems, including a lack of qualified workers (especially in rural areas), high turnover rates, problems hiring and keeping staff, and a need for more cultural competence and diversity in the workforce. Also mentioned as major impediments were problems with pay, concerns about safety at work, and a lack of support for frontline staff.
First Lady Kotek Wilson reflected on the importance of the council’s mission.
“As a former social worker who has worked in the field, I’ve seen firsthand how workforce shortages affect both providers and patients. Through this council, I’m honored to bring experts together to prioritize practical, actionable solutions that address recruitment challenges, reduce turnover, and build pathways for a more diverse and prepared workforce,” said First Lady Kotek Wilson.
The council’s key goals are to fix the staffing gap, keep experienced workers from leaving, make the workforce more diverse and culturally competent, and make it easier to hire and keep people who work with Oregon Health Plan members.
It is envisaged that the council would give regular reports on its work throughout the year. Once the action plan is finished, the Governor’s office will look at their suggestions, which may include new laws and investment ideas.
