H.O.P.E. Drug Court Participant Launches ‘Bags of Hope’ Mental Health Project

ROSEBURG, Ore. - A participant in Douglas County’s H.O.P.E. Drug Court is turning his community project into an effort to support people receiving mental health services while helping reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

Nathan Sessions is launching “Greeting Mental Health with Hope,” a project that will collect individually packaged snack items over two weekends at Roseburg Grocery Outlet. The donations will be used to assemble “Bags of Hope” for people utilizing mental health services through ADAPT Integrated Health Care.

Sessions selected mental health awareness as the focus of his H.O.P.E. Drug Court community project because of his own experiences with mental health concerns.

“Your mental health does not define you as a person,” Sessions said.

According to Douglas County Circuit Court, the goal is to offer a small gesture of encouragement to people who may be going through a difficult period while also reminding community members that seeking mental health treatment or support should not be viewed negatively.

How the Community Can Help

Sessions will be outside Roseburg Grocery Outlet collecting donations on four days:

• Saturday, Aug. 29: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 30: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 5: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 6: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Community members are being asked to donate individually packaged snack items.

The donated items will be placed into Bags of Hope and distributed to people using ADAPT’s mental health program.

Organizers say the bags are intended to carry a larger message for recipients: that they matter, they are not alone and asking for help is okay.

Mental Health and Recovery

Mental health treatment can also be an important part of recovery for people participating in treatment court programs.

H.O.P.E. Drug Court combines treatment, accountability, court supervision and supportive services. The program recognizes that long-term recovery can involve addressing underlying issues that may have contributed to substance use, including mental health concerns.

Sessions said the project also highlights the range of local organizations available to people seeking help, including ADAPT Integrated Health Care, NAMI Douglas, Chadwick Clubhouse and other counseling and behavioral health providers.

Those organizations offer different forms of treatment, education, peer support and other services for individuals and families.

Mental Health Resources

People looking for additional information or assistance can find several resources locally and nationally:

• NAMI Douglas: Mental health education, resources and support groups at namidouglas.org
• ADAPT Integrated Health Care: Mental health and crisis services in Douglas County
• Chadwick Clubhouse: Peer and community-based mental health support opportunities
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for crisis support

More information about the H.O.P.E. Drug Court Program and its community projects is available through the Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council at douglascountyor.gov/851/HOPE-Drug-Court.

The project was announced Wednesday by Douglas County Circuit Court.