RESOURCES | Mental Health
We know it can be overwhelming even figuring out where to begin to look for help. While not a comprehensive list, here are a few mental health resources for the Seattle/Washington area to get you started. The Mental Health Referral Service is a great place to start.
SCREENAGERS: GROWING UP IN THE DIGITAL AGE & SCREENAGERS NEXT CHAPTER RESOURCES
This is a page with resources across many areas that Screenagers has put together.
Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service
What is Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens?
Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service connects families with mental health providers in your community who accept new patients, work with your insurance and fit your child’s treatment needs . The Referral Service is accessible to children and teens 17 and under living in Washington State.
This free service is funded by Washington State, and Seattle Children’s operates it.
NAMI Seattle is the only organization in the Seattle area working specifically to fill the gaps in our local mental health system through education, referrals, and support.
We envision a world where all those impacted by mental illness know they are not alone, and are empowered to live a fulfilling life.
Our peer-led presentations, classes and support groups bridge the gap when medical models fail to meet our needs. We have over 40 years of experience elevating stories of lived experience and shining a spotlight on the unique needs of people and families navigating their own mental health journey.
Helping children, youth, young adults, and their families find their path to healing and hope is at the core of Ryther’s work. As an agency, Ryther is focused on evidence-based practices, they have enhanced the quality and effectiveness of their work by implementing a trauma care model – Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC). They are continuing to expand their service array and locations where they provide services, with therapists in more schools and social service agencies. As they expand services to serve more than 800 children, youth and young adults each month – regardless of payer, gender identity, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity or place of origin – they do so with the intention that they would want our own families to use these services should they need them.
The SPS Mental Health Department supports the promotion and access of mental health and wellness across Seattle Public Schools. The Mental Health Department works to align system-wide practices with evidence-based procedures, state-wide mandates, and culturally-responsive services. Their website has an extensive list of resources covering help for varying issues and communities.
This article from the Seattle Times acknowledges the challenges in finding a mental health provider, and also provides some guidance on where to start, what to look for, and some questions you can ask as you seek assistance.