Politics & Government
Staffing Shortage Impacts Patients At Hawthorn Mental Health Center
The Hawthorn Walk-In Center for mental health and addiction care will longer accept walk-in appointments as of Wednesday, the county said.
HILLSBORO, OR — The Hawthorn Walk-in Center for mental health and addictions care is temporarily closing its doors to walk-in patients as of Wednesday because of a staffing shortage, Washington County officials said Monday.
The center, which opened at 5240 NE Elam Young Parkway in May 2017, will still accept appointments, the county said.
County officials said that while walk-ins will no longer be accepted for the time being, the county still has other paths available for people in need, including the Washington County Crisis Line at 503-291-9111, which is answered 24/7 by trained professionals.
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"We want to assure the community that help is still available for those in crisis," said Kris Puttler-Miller, the program director at LifeWorks NW, which operates the center with the assistance of Washington County Behavioral Health.
"Calling the crisis line is the best first step to getting help for yourself or a loved one," Puttler-Miller said.
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If the situation involves a life-threatening emergency, county officials said to call 9-1-1.
It’s unclear when the clinic may be able to accept walk-in patients again.
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