MultiCare Behavioral Health Network partners with KING 5 on “Are You Okay?” series
Many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful and overwhelming. In the state of Washington, nearly 1.8 million adults have reported symptoms of anxiety, according to the Washington State Department of Health’s January 4 COVID-19 Behavioral Health Impact Situation Report (PDF). Their December update (PDF) also includes troubling statistics for our community’s youngest: mental health-related visits to emergency departments for children ages five to 17 between April and October of 2020 increased 24 – 31 percent, compared with the same time period in 2019.
Partnering with KING 5, MultiCare Behavioral Health Network — which includes MultiCare Behavioral Health, Navos and Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare — is helping people cope and heal during this pivotal moment with a series of segments called “Are You Okay?”
The series covers a variety of behavioral health topics, acting as a go-to resource for mental health support from MultiCare Behavioral Health Network subject matter experts and providers. The following segments have aired over the last few weeks:
- How assertive community treatment programs help break the cycle of homelessness: Director of Housing Programs at Navos, Ravenna Candy, introduces Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) services that help homeless people with mental illness with recovery. The programs provide housing combined with intensive treatment and support.
- Maintaining relationships despite political differences: Greater Lakes Clinical Manger in Child & Family Services, Sally McDaniel, focuses on reinforcing family connections and friendships in spite of political divide.
- How to talk with children about violence at the Capitol: Chief Clinical Officer at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and MultiCare Behavioral Health Foundation board member, Chris Ladish, PhD, offers parents advice on how to process what transpired with their kids.
- How to support health care workers as pandemic drags on: Mental health counselor and Employee Wellness Coordinator at MultiCare, Damian Gennette, shares what he’s been seeing on the frontlines of COVID-19.
- Why choosing a New Year’s intention is better than a resolution for 2021: Retired Navos CEO and MultiCare Behavioral Health Foundation board member, David Johnson, EdD, talks through this alternative approach, which emphasizes easing in and creating positive moments.
- Myths about addiction debunked: Navos COO, Maurice Lee, dispels common addiction and treatment misconceptions.
- Mental health needs on the rise for children and teens during pandemic: Dr. Ladish explains the current mental health care crisis and provides ways to get immediate help.
- The effects of the pandemic on children: Dr. Ladish describes what’s happening with kids’ mental health during this unprecedented time.
This series is just one of the ways MultiCare is working to meet the behavioral health needs of our communities. You can be a part of this critical work by supporting the MultiCare Behavioral Health Foundation and helping provide access to mental health and substance use disorder services for people of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances.
