August 20, 2025
Pediatricians often encounter complex cases that would benefit from specialized psychiatric or developmental behavioral consultation. Whether it’s a child with challenging behaviors, developmental delays, or mental health concerns, having access to expertise can make a huge difference in patient care. The Oregon Psychiatric Access Line (OPAL), our state’s Pediatric Mental Health Care Access program, is an invaluable resource for prescribing clinicians.
What is OPAL?
OPAL is Oregon’s free psychiatric phone consultation service designed for primary care providers. A direct line connects clinicians with specialists who can provide guidance on diagnosis, treatment planning, medications, and patient management strategies.
The program has three specialized branches:
- OPAL-K (Kids): Child and youth psychiatric consultation
- OPAL-K-DBP: Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics consultation
- OPAL-A (Adults): Adult psychiatric consultation
Game-Changing Addition: Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics
OPAL has recently expanded to include consultation with developmental behavioral pediatricians (DBP), addressing a critical gap in accessible specialized care. This service is particularly valuable for pediatric providers managing children with:
- Autism spectrum disorders
- ADHD and attention difficulties
- Developmental delays
- Learning disabilities
- Behavioral challenges
- Sensory processing issues
- Complex developmental concerns
Unlike the same-day psychiatric consultations, DBP consultations are scheduled by appointment, allowing for more in-depth discussion of complex developmental cases.
How OPAL Works
Contact Information:
- Toll-Free: 855-966-7255 or Portland Metro: 503-346-1000
- Email: OPAL@ohsu.edu
- Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding major holidays)
- ohsu.edu/opal
- Download our flier and share with others.
For Child Psychiatric Consultation (OPAL-K):
- Free, same-day consultation.
- Immediate access to child psychiatrists.
- Learn more by watching this video.
For Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics (OPAL-K-DBP):
- Consultation by appointment.
- Scheduled through the same OPAL phone line.
- Expert guidance on complex developmental cases.
- Watch this video to learn more.
NEW: OPAL eConsults Now Available!
OPAL has expanded beyond phone consultations to offer eConsults through the secure EpicCare Link (OHSU Connect) portal. This digital option provides another convenient way to access psychiatric expertise when it fits better into your workflow.
Key Benefits of OPAL eConsults:
- Secure, HIPAA-compliant communication through EpicCare Link
- Available to all providers, regardless of your EHR system
- Flexible timing – submit when convenient, receive expert guidance
- Documented consultation that integrates with your patient care records
This addition means you now have multiple pathways to access OPAL’s expertise: same-day phone consultations for urgent needs, scheduled DBP appointments for complex cases, and eConsults for situations where written consultation better serves your practice workflow.
Registration:
Medical practitioners must first register for OPAL to receive services. The registration process is straightforward and opens the door to invaluable consultation resources. To enroll in OPAL-K or OPAL-K-DBP, register through this online form.
Why OPAL Matters
As you well know, Oregon, like many states, faces significant shortages in pediatric mental health and developmental specialists. Wait times for appointments can stretch for months, leaving families frustrated and children without needed support. The OPAL program bridges this gap by providing clinicians with expert consultation that can:
- Provide evidence-based treatment recommendations that can be implemented immediately.
- Determine when referral is truly necessary.
- Offer medication guidance for psychiatric conditions.
- Support your clinical decision-making with specialist expertise.
- Help you feel more confident managing complex cases by building knowledge and skills.
Overall, OPAL helps build a system that allows primary care providers to deliver the best possible care while expanding access to mental health support across Oregon.
