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The article reports on the joint venture between Mercy Medical Center and Almeda, California-based Telecare Corp., which aims to help preserve community psychiatric services in Oregon. Following the Mercy's acceptance of the later company's proposal, both organizations would acquire or lease the behavioral health unit and operate it as a free-standing psychiatric hospital and would provide in patient, acute care and crisis services for residents of the Douglas County.

The article discusses a Disability Rights Oregon report, authored by Joel Greenberg, and published in the paper "The Oregonian," that reveals less time spent by male inmates with severe mental illnesses outside of their cells, with inmates spending their days in dark and foul-smelling area.

The article reports on a commission appointed by Oregon governor Ted Kulongoski which has recommended that the state invest in community-based services for the mentally ill, the Associated Press reported. In its draft report the Governor's Mental Health Task Force said that it believes the state should invest in community facilities rather than operate a large centralized mental hospital. The draft report calls for more funding for community-based mental health programs and recommends an overhaul of Oregon State Hospital, a state-run psychiatric facility in Salem that houses more than 700 patients.

Presents several community-based organizations honorees of the Awards of Excellence from the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare in Portland, Oregon. Award won by Jefferson Center for Mental Health; Presentation of award in public policy category to Washington Community Mental Health Council; Services offered by Quinco Behavioral Health Systems.