Young people’s mental health and substance use in King County: What we’re learning from the data

April 29, 2025.Reading time 10 minutes.

A parent with her arms around two teenagers in front of a housing complex.

Young people in King County have seen some improvement in rates of mental health conditions since the pandemic but they continue to face challenges, according to data analyzed by King County’s Best Starts for Kids program. The data can help identify areas of investment to support young people’s needs.

Mental health services expand at Seattle school-based health centers

March 20, 2025.Reading time 10 minutes.

Three teenagers of different races smiling in front of a school

School-based health centers are health clinics serving elementary, middle, and high schools throughout King County. In addition to primary care, these school-based health centers also offer mental and behavioral healthcare to students. Public Health will be able to significantly expand mental health services at school-based health centers serving middle and high schools in Seattle thanks to an annual $5.6 million investment from the City of Seattle beginning in school year 2024-2025. This expansion includes hiring 21 new mental health therapists to provide counseling to students, doubling the staffing capacity of the mental health services at school-based health centers in Seattle’s middle and high schools.

Taking an upstream approach to preventing LGBTQ youth cannabis use

June 14, 2021.Reading time 8 minutes.

In King County, LGBTQ youth report the highest rates of marijuana use, which may be connected to anxiety and depression. Public Health’s partner @GayCity takes an upstream approach to preventing marijuana use among LGBTQ youth.

Inside the pandemic: Two mental health workers and community volunteers discuss how cultural experiences and racial trauma affect mental health in BIPOC communities

May 28, 2021.Reading time 12 minutes.

There is a lack of diversity among behavioral health professionals and a need to create more opportunities for BIPOC people in this field. Research has shown that understanding a person’s cultural connection is an important part of the counseling process.

“No Health Without Mental Health” – Resources to Support Mental Health & Well-Being in Our Community

May 25, 2021.Reading time 4 minutes.

Illustration of a woman with flowing brown hair. There are illustrated flowers and leaves of different colors coming out of her head and a hand holding a watering can is watering them. The background is a light blue with cloud-like shapes

If your mental health has taken a hit recently, you aren’t alone. The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on mental health and emotional well-being.

Coping with COVID-19: Suicide Prevention

March 24, 2021.Reading time 11 minutes.

In this episode of the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) podcast on coping with COVID-19, learn how to talk about suicide and suicide prevention when people in our lives may be struggling.