Tim Roessel

Advocate

Timothy advocates for the rights of people with mental health conditions held in jails, prisons, and hospitals across the state. He closely monitors conditions and investigates allegations of abuse and neglect.

To do this, Timothy regularly meets with people with mental health conditions held in these places to develop an in-depth understanding of their experiences. Most weeks, he can be caught making the rounds at the Oregon State Hospitals in Salem and Junction City, the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, Unity Center for Behavioral Health, and county detention centers and community-based care programs.

Timothy has played a key role in partnering with Basic Rights Oregon to review and respond to the new LGBTQI policy that Oregon State Hospital is considering, and partnered with Planned Parenthood of Oregon and the Oregon Health Authority to help shape Oregon State Hospital’s new sexual health policy. Timothy advocates for youth held in detention facilities to have access to the same level and quality of mental health services as their detained adult counterparts, including the full range of peer support services and participation in patient advocacy and steering committees.

Timothy joined the Disability Rights Oregon team in May 2015. His previous experience spans psychology and social services, crisis counseling, juvenile custody services, and long-term care facility management, making him a formidable advocate for our clients across the state.