I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 30 years of counseling experience in mental health and substance abuse treatment. According to Mental Health America, in 2022 Oregon ranks 49th for people with mental illness, substance abuse, thoughts of suicide, lack of treatment, lack of reporting, lack of insurance and people with mental disabilities who could not see a doctor because of cost. We can see the results of ineffective health management all around us.

In recent months, I have had several conversations about this with Denise Krause who is running for Jackson County Commissioner.  Denise decided to run for Commissioner because of personal concerns over how the county is managed.  She has spoken with many hundreds of county residents to find out what concerns they have. Mental health, homelessness, and addiction along with drought, fires and smoke top lists of persisting concerns. None of these concerns should be partisan issues, yet I see little effort by current commissioners to remedy or discuss problems with residents. 

In talks with Denise Krause, I hear her knowledge gleaned from years of experience and from local people who have shared ideas. She has a long history of doing research and putting together qualified teams and achieving important goals. Denise will do the same for this county working together across parties and across the state if necessary to find and implement solutions to complex problems like access to treatment for people who often wind up homeless on the streets of our county.

Jackson County needs the kind of skills, drive, and heart Denise Krause has to bring us together to achieve the best possible solutions. Be part of the solution.

Vote for Denise Krause for County Commissioner on Nov. 8.

Anne Henry, LPC

Talent