Blog
Addressing Mental Health Stigma in Asian Communities
My grandfather and father faced exclusionary codes that made entering the United States and gaining citizenship impossible. Both worked on the railroads, which was how a lot of Chinese immigrants came into the country at the time – making much lower wages than workers of other races. As a boy, Dad lived in the United States during worldwide...
Start the Conversation: Mike, Clinical Trainer
My first career was in the restaurant industry, managing restaurants and eventually managing theaters and event venues for a large chain of Oregon brewpubs. I had to leave because I drank too much, and I was like a kid in a candy store. Eventually, I became interested in the substance use recovery field and worked as an addiction counselor and...
Tips to Start the Conversation About Mental Health in Military & Veteran Communities
This Mental Health Awareness Month, we highlight opportunities to Start the Conversation among service members, veterans, and their families (SMVF). A “power through it” mentality is strong in military culture – both for physical and emotional concerns. Stigma around needing help is a barrier for many when they are having a mental health concern....
Suicide Prevention Month
Ask, Then Listen: LFL Volunteer Shares Tips for Starting a Conversation
Je has started hundreds of tricky conversations. As a Lines for Life volunteer, she answers calls from people looking for a way through anxiety, stress, loneliness, substance abuse, and thoughts of suicide.During her weekly volunteer shifts, Je listens, validates, and supports...
Service Members and Veterans
PTSD 101 – What it is and How to Support Someone
Our mental wellness is constantly changing. We all deserve support when we need it. Traumatic events impact everyone differently. For some people, the impacts of trauma can develop into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a diagnosis that is treatable with evidence-based therapies.Despite...
Mental Health Awareness Month
Finding Support Beyond Your Circle: Oregon’s Behavioral Health Support Line
How can you reach out when your go-to isn’t available?Sometimes we find ourselves needing support, but the people we would normally reach out to aren’t available. Times when: Your most trusted confidant is away on vacation. Your next treatment appointment is days, weeks, or months...
Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Lines for Life Honors API Heritage Month
Lines for Life Honors API Heritage MonthThis May, Lines for Life celebrates the diverse cultures and rich histories of the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community by honoring API Heritage Month.Why May? May holds special significance for API heritage in America, as it commemorates...
Mental Health Awareness Month
Reaching Out Despite the Obstacles
What keeps you from reaching out?Everyone needs support sometimes. But reaching out can be difficult. At some point, you may have talked yourself out of sharing a challenging experience with phrases like: I’ll be judged by my experiences.I can’t trust that what I say will be...
Mental Health Awareness Month
Reach Out for Support or Lend Yours Today
When did you last check on your people?Staying connected is a critical component of enjoying a mentally healthy life!When we feel down, experience anxiety or grief, or have a mental health emergency, staying connected to others can get us through. Staying connected is a two-way...
Black History Month
Showing Up for Black Joy – Black History Month Recap
Supporting each other and working together is how Black folks survived the horrors of slavery, and continue to survive family separation, state-sanctioned oppression and more. Black Joy is made possible by community members looking out for one another and lifting each other up...
Always Hope Gala
Behind the Scenes: Planning the Always Hope Gala
By Maggie O’Connor, Assistant Director of DevelopmentEvery year, as soon as the Gala ends and the Development team is busy packing up at the venue, we start thinking about what we want to do for the next one! Together, we carefully plan every element from invitations, décor,...
Black History Month
Celebrating Black Joy – Helping Students Rebound from Incarceration
By Martin Lockett, Director of Cultural Engagement I recently had the privilege, with Lines for Life’s Equity Team, of visiting Portland State University to speak with Rebound – a unique program serving formerly incarcerated individuals who are rebuilding their lives by...
Hispanic Heritage Month
Breaking the Cycle of Stigma – Bilingual Training for Suicide Prevention
I came into a new position at Lines for Life earlier this year and established the bilingual community training program. It was important that we network and build relationships with community partners right away for the program to be successful.We started offering QPR training...
