We’re not announcing yet, but time is getting close to telling everyone what the Mental Health Association of Portland will be doing in 2009.

As those who follow our work know, the Mental Health Association of Portland supports one central project each year.

In 2004 we hosted a series of discussions in North Portland about mental health services for persons who are institutionalized, and their family members.

In 2005 we talked to Oregon and national communities about the patient remains at the Oregon State Hospital.

In 2006 we spoke out about the death of James Chasse by hosting a memorial for his friends and family, by stewarding hundreds of news stories about what happened to James, and by applying pressure for political and policy change.

In 2007 we built web sites about Portland-area persons with mental illness and addiction who had died as a result of an encounter with the police.

In 2008 we helped produce a documentary film about the life and death of James Chasse. ALIEN BOY is on target to be released in the Summer of 2009.

What we can tell you today is we had a great tour of the Oregon State Hospital last week and we have found what we were looking for.