Multnomah County Faces Potential $240K Cuts to Teen Crisis Hotline, Impacting Mental Health Support
YouthLine, a crisis hotline serving teens in Multnomah County, Oregon, is at risk of losing $240,000 in funding as the county struggles to balance its budget. This potential cut threatens the hotline's ability to provide essential mental health support to local teens. YouthLine connects callers aged 10 to 24 with trained volunteers of the same age group, offering guidance on issues ranging from school stress to suicidal thoughts. Despite its success, the program's future is uncertain. State leaders, including Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, have urged the county to maintain funding, emphasizing the critical role YouthLine plays in addressing the profound mental health needs of young people. The program also serves as a workforce development initiative, preparing volunteers for careers in behavioral health.