AJ and MJ, both 17 years old, stroll back into Harmony Academy Recovery High School after their gym class on a Friday in March. The red building smells of old wood and piles of paper, once an orphanage now filled with students in baggy jeans, bold makeup, and intentionally messy hair. A single short hallway is lined with old couches and chairs, student artwork covering the walls, and a large homemade poster reminding students that “We are in this together.” The school, nestled in a retirement and assisted living campus in Lake Oswego, caters to the life-and-death needs of its 40 students.
Oregon’s struggle to provide adequate mental health treatment for residents has been increasingly visible in recent years, with underlying causes dating back decades. The Oregonian/OregonLive aims to bring attention to barriers to quality care, failures in policy, and potential paths forward. The teen recovery series delves into how Oregon’s youth behavioral health system compares to other states’ efforts and sheds light on the challenges parents face in ensuring their children’s safety.
The Oregonian/OregonLive spent about 2 1/2 months interviewing 15 teens, five parents, and multiple educators and service providers to gain insight into the experiences of students at Harmony Academy Recovery High School. The newsroom has chosen to protect the identity of minors by not using their full names. Ongoing coverage can be found on oregonlive.com/mentalhealth.
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