The funding would come from a nine-year property tax levy that would raise about $121 a year from a median property valued at $694,000. Citizens of the county, which includes Seattle, will vote on the new plan and the property tax levy in April of next year.
One of the new walk-in centers would be specific to youth behavioral health patients. Each center would have a 24-hour emergency center, access to the national suicide and mental health crisis line, a 23-hour living room staffed with mental health professionals and a 16-bed voluntary crisis stabilization unit. The facilities will treat individuals regardless of insurance status.
The plan also includes a countywide crisis responder assessment office to connect individuals with long-term care like supportive housing or inpatient hospital treatment.
The county’s plan comes in response to the area and state’s growing mental health and substance abuse crisis.
At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4–5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now.
