In the News

Dr. Katie McLaughlin, Executive Director of the Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health, smiling outdoors in front of a modern building on the University of Oregon Portland campus.
Dr. Katie McLaughlin Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The Ballmer Institute's Executive Director has been recognized among 250 distinguished leaders in academia and beyond for her groundbreaking work in children's behavioral health.
Governor Tina Kotek signs behavioral health legislation at an outdoor ceremony at the Ballmer Institute, surrounded by applauding legislators and advocates.
KGW: Oregon signs bills to grow behavioral health workforce and protect teens online
Portland's KGW News covered Governor Kotek's signing of new Oregon behavioral health legislation at the Ballmer Institute, including Senate Bill 1547, which creates a new credential for Ballmer Institute graduates trained to provide mental health services to adolescents.
Governor Tina Kotek holds up the signed behavioral health legislation surrounded by a large group of legislators, advocates, and providers — plus two service dogs — outside the Ballmer Institute.
Becker's Behavioral Health: Oregon signs bills to expand behavioral health workforce
Industry publication Becker's Behavioral Health covered Governor Kotek's signing of five new Oregon behavioral health laws, including Senate Bill 1547, which creates a new credential for Ballmer Institute graduates trained to provide mental health services to adolescents.
Attendees gather on the lawn outside the University of Oregon's Ballmer Institute for the outdoor bill signing ceremony, where speakers address the crowd from a podium in front of the building.
NewsWatch 12: New Oregon laws take aim at behavioral health workforce shortage
Southern Oregon's NewsWatch 12 covered the signing of five new Oregon behavioral health laws, including Senate Bill 1547, which creates a new credential for Ballmer Institute graduates trained to provide mental health and addiction services to children and adolescents.
Governor Tina Kotek signs behavioral health workforce legislation at the University of Oregon's Ballmer Institute, surrounded by applauding legislators, advocates, and behavioral health providers at an outdoor bill signing ceremony.
Ballmer Institute hosts bill signing to grow Oregon's behavioral health workforce
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed five behavioral health bills at the Ballmer Institute, including Senate Bill 1547, which creates a new credential for Ballmer Institute graduates trained to provide mental health services to children and adolescents.
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University of Oregon approves new Ballmer Institute building at Portland campus, Daily Emerald reports
As reported by the Daily Emerald, the approved Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health and Prevention Science building marks a major milestone in the University of Oregon’s expansion and its investment in children’s behavioral health and prevention science.
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Ballmer Institute growth highlighted by The Register‑Guard as the University of Oregon expands its Portland campus
According to The Register‑Guard, the University of Oregon’s planned expansion of the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health represents a major investment in education, training, and innovation, positioning Oregon as a national leader in addressing children’s mental and behavioral health needs.
Two people sit across from each other at a table in a library, with bookshelves in the background
Ballmer Institute helps advance new behavioral health license in Oregon Senate
Grants Pass Tribune highlights how legislation moving through the Oregon Senate would establish a new license to expand the behavioral health workforce, with the Ballmer Institute serving as a key training pipeline for future practitioners.
cover of the 2025 annual report
Ballmer Institute annual report highlights progress in children’s behavioral health
The Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health’s annual report shares milestones, research, partnerships, and progress toward building a stronger behavioral health workforce and improving outcomes for children and families.
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Ballmer Institute's Katie McLaughlin on mental health, stress, and why young Americans are considering leaving the U.S.
In Newsweek, McLaughlin responds to new national survey findings highlighting overwhelming stress and social isolation among young adults.
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Ballmer Institute's Katie McLaughlin on Oregon’s ongoing mental health crisis
In a Willamette Week analysis, Ballmer Institute Executive Director Katie McLaughlin discusses why mental illness rates in Oregon remain high despite significant state investment.
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OPB's Think Out Loud: Ballmer Institute on expanding Oregon’s children’s mental health workforce
Assistant clinical professor Cody Gion and students discuss how the University of Oregon’s new child behavioral health undergraduate program is helping address Oregon’s children’s mental health workforce shortage.
Podcast graphic for This Is Oregon. Title reads ‘Helping Kids Navigate Stress: Strategies to Support Youth Well-Being.’ Features a smiling portrait of Sunhye Bai, Ph.D., MPH, Assistant Professor of Children’s Behavioral Health and Psychology. University of Oregon logo appears in the top right corner.
This Is Oregon Podcast: Ballmer Institute’s Sunny Bai on helping kids navigate stress

On a recent episode of the This Is Oregon podcast, Ballmer Institute assistant professor Sunny Bai shares research on family life, parent‑child communication, and practical ways to support children as the school year begins.

A graphic featuring a professor advertising the This is Oregon Podcast
This Is Oregon Podcast: Ballmer Institute’s Ariel Williamson on why kids' sleep matters

Licensed psychologist and Ballmer Institute assistant professor Ariel Williamson joins the This Is Oregon podcast to explain how children’s sleep habits influence emotional well‑being, behavior, and learning.

A backpack full of school supplies sits next to a cell phone
Ballmer Institute faculty offer tips for easing kids back into school routines in Oregon News feature

Ballmer Institute faculty share practical guidance for parents and caregivers on managing routines, sleep, stress, and behavior as children transition back to school.