Southern Oregon University
Transforming Behavioral Health in Southern Oregon
What is Behavioral Health?
- Behavioral health is the connection between behaviors and our overall well-being. It includes how we think, feel, and act, and how those patterns affect our overall health, relationships, and ability to thrive.
- Behavioral health encompasses a broad range of issues, including mental health, substance use, stress and crisis response, lifestyle and health behaviors, and coping strategies. These are deeply interconnected and shaped by personal, social, and environmental factors.
- Behavioral Health recognizes that mental health, substance use, and overall well-being are not separate – they are part of a whole-person model of care.
- Behavioral Health includes prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery with a focus on promoting resilience, equity, and long-term wellness.
BHI Mission Statement
The Behavioral Health Initiative at Southern Oregon University creates, cultivates, and catalyzes partnerships with Southern Oregon University and local communities to impact behavioral health, mental wellness, and early childhood development in the Rogue Valley through education, action and scholarship.
Program Focus Areas
- CREATE – Workforce Development: Partnering with SOU programs, BHI enhances behavioral health education including growing and expanding behavioral health learning experiences, internship opportunities, and professional development experiences. By supporting the integration of behavioral health content into curricula, fostering experiential learning through internships and research, and collaborating on innovative training initiatives, BHI helps prepare students and professionals to meet the evolving needs of the field.
- CULTIVATE – Community Engagement: Building collaborative networks that bridge the gap between campus and community to enhance behavioral health support and service delivery. By building meaningful partnerships with SOU faculty, staff, students, and regional organizations, BHI strengthens the collective capacity to address pressing behavioral health needs.
- CATALYZE – Advocacy & Innovation: BHI drives systemic change by combining advocacy with innovative approaches to behavioral health challenges. Through policy engagement at local, regional, and state levels, as well as active engagement in innovative research solutions, BHI helps shape strategies that improve behavioral health outcomes.
Ways to Get Involved
Whether you’re a student, educator, professional, or community member, there’s a place for you in BHI’s work. Join us in strengthening behavioral health across Southern Oregon through learning, partnership, and action.
- Students – Explore internship, research, and leadership opportunities.
- Partners- Collaborate on training, workforce pipelines, and community events.
- Supporters – Sponsor a program, fund a student, or help expand our reach.
Looking Ahead: Key Goals for 2025
- Establish BHI Center on Campus: Center will serve as a hub for behavioral health education, collaboration, and community engagement.
- Grow BHEACON’s Impact: Increase participation and community collaboration.
- Strengthen Student Opportunities: Broaden scholarship availability and integrate more hands-on learning experiences.
- Create Professional Development Opportunities: Explore possibilities for revenue-producing behavioral health learning and skill building for regional professionals.
- Pursue Additional Grant Funding: Identify new funding sources to sustain and expand BHI initiatives.
Community Partners
Thank you to our Community Partners in Change
Addictions Recovery Center
All Care
Asante
Care Oregon
Columbia Care
Community Works
Family Services
Jackson Care Connect
Jackson County Health & Human Services
Jackson County Mental Health
Jackson County Sheriff
Kairos
Medford School District
OHRA
Options
Oregon Department of Human Services
La Clinica
Luce Health
Medford School District
Mercy Flights
OHRA
OnTrack
Options
Oregon Department of Human Services
Oregon Employment Department
Oregon Health Authority
Oregon State University
Phoenix-Talent Schools
Phoenix Counseling
Reclaiming Lives
Rogue Community College
Rogue Community Health
Rogue Regional Health
Rogue Valley Manor
Rogue Valley Mentoring
Rogue Workforce
Ruby Ridge Ranch
Southern Oregon ESD
The Center for Health & Well-Being
The Pathfinder Network
Valley Immediate Care
Woollard Ipsen Management
Get in Touch
BHI is building a stronger, more connected behavioral health system across Southern Oregon—through education, innovation, and deep community partnership.
Want to learn more, collaborate, or support our work? Get in touch – we’d love to hear
from you.
Phone: 541.552.6133
Email: carterm3@sou.edu