Discussing Mental Health with King County Executive Candidates

Please listen to the video for accuracy and completeness. The last half is most telling.  

The major theme was managing (Balducci) and coordinating (Zahilay) resources to achieve a continuum of care.  Implementation of voter-approved behavioral health resources is terribly slow (Balducci.) Zahilay listed his coalitions that will disrupt the cycle of addiction and improve behavioral health care.  Balducci insisted the revolving door should have only one entrance.  She stressed wider use of medical records towards this end.

Financial pressure:  Balducci has working experience with state officials on both sides of the aisle.  Prioritization and accountability of spending is needed for this and other levies.  Zahilay co-sponsored the new stabilization .1% sales tax -- 10 cents on a $100 purchase!)  This tax funds 1) fewer sheriff layoffs 2) gun and domestic violence advocacies, 3) courts / victim support, 4) behavioral health treatment.  Balducci said needs evolve and these funds need re-prioritization; accountability, with proactive audits and quarterly reports.     

Youth struggles:  Balducci says she has two children and witnessed first-hand the emotional and health pressures on students during the pandemic. She supports providers (LWSD  councilors, Y.E.S. EvergreenHealth councilors, NAMI.)  Zahilay organized a stakeholder youth group to focus on solutions.  

Full Disclosure:  I lean towards Balducci because I know her better. I just like her.  I've chatted with her at Redmond City Hall meetings and a Hero House gala, I see her riding a bicycle everywhere; not just for transit awareness but demonstrating that exercise is awesome for mental health. She's the county's representative for EvergreenHealth community hospital, She participates with the community in social media, including my blog.  😊

- Bob Yoder, 10/12/2025

  Sources:  Seattle Times & Seattle/King County League of Women Voters forum, 10/9/25

King County Launches New "Stop Hate Hotline"

 

Seattle/ Internet

Summary King County announced today the launch of the Stop Hate Hotline. The hotline is operated by the non-profit Crisis Connections. It is now live and can be used to provide an immediate confidential reporting system for victims of hate crimes and bias incidents, while connecting them to vital community resources and support services. Story Today, King County Executive Shannon Braddock, in partnership with King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn and non-profit Crisis Connections, announced the launch of the new Stop Hate Hotline, marking a significant milestone in the county's efforts to combat hate crimes and support affected communities. The hotline can be reached at 833-786-7481 or 833-STOP-H81. "The launch of the Stop Hate Hotline represents King County's unwavering commitment to creating a community where every resident feels safe, valued, and protected from hate and bias. This hotline provides crime victims and survivors support, resources, and assistance in reporting the crime to law enforcement if they choose," said Executive Braddock. "We recognize that hate crimes don't just harm individual victims; they stoke fear in whole communities. By partnering with Crisis Connections, we're ensuring that when someone reaches out in need, they'll find compassionate, trauma-informed care that honors their experience and focuses on their healing."

King County Executive Candidate Forum On Mental Health

credit:  Seattle Times

The new King County executive will have a lot of mental health responsibilities on their plate after they’re elected in November. 

They’ll have to steer a local mental health care expansion and navigate the delicate politics of constructing new walk-in mental health centers. They’ll also have to deal with the aftermath of an audit finding the Department of Community and Human Services failed to properly oversee grant money. 

 

Federal policies will also affect the county: President Donald Trump has suggested states broaden their involuntary civil commitment laws, and changes to Medicaid may also threaten care for some low-income residents.

 

On Oct. 9, join The Seattle Times and the League of Women Voters of Seattle King County for an online forum with candidates Claudia Balducci and Girmay Zahilay. The two candidates, both current Metropolitan King County Council members, will discuss their visions for improving mental health policy in King County.

 

Register here for the forum, which will run from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Submit your questions for the candidates using this form and we may use them in the discussion.

 

Major Human Services Benefactors, 2025-2026

Carol Helland, Director of Planning and Community Relations
oversees Redmond Human Services

Homelessness & Housing $1,790,674 (asked)   $833,844 (given)

$833,834 4 Tomorrow - Emergency Temporary Housing & Homelessness Recovery Program

 $150,000  Archdiocesan Housing Authority- Coordinated Care Agency - 

New Bethlehem Programs $100,000 

100,000 Catholic Community Services of King County - Emergency Assistance

 $12,000  Friends of Youth - Transitional Living Programs

 $38,000  Friends of Youth - Willows Youth Services Center (WYSC)

$115,242 Friends of Youth - Youth Haven 

$12,360 HERO House NW 

Supported Housing $20,000 Hopelink - Financial Resiliency

Overlake Christian Church - Safe Parking and Day Center Emergency Shelter and Support Program  $38,965 

Porchlight - Behavioral Mental Health $25,076 

Porchlight - Enhanced Shelter Program $133,900 

Porchlight - Housing $10,300 Porchlight - Rotating Shelter $12,875 

The Sophia Way - Helen's Place $106,916 

The Sophia Way - Sophia's Place $30,793 

Safe & Healthy Communities $981,653 (asked)   $678,325  (given)

Tomorrow - Mental Health Coordination & Gap Therapy $67,041 

Asian Counseling and Referral Service - Children, Youth and Families (CYF) $14,700

 Asian Counseling and Referral Service - Whole health Oriented Mental Health Program  $15,450

 Consejo Counseling and Referral Service - Domestic Violence Services  $10,300 

Crisis Connections - Regional Crisis Line $10,000 Crisis Connections - Washington Warm Line (Support After Suicide)  

EvergreenHealth Honors Redmond Resident with "2024 Community Service Award."

 

Bob Yoder (l)  Virgil Snyder (r) 
(click picture to enlarge)

"Since 1998, EvergreenHealth has recognized individuals who make a meaningful impact on community health through its Community Service Award. This year, Redmond resident Bob Yoder was honored for his outstanding leadership and advocacy in mental health care.💚

Through his thoughtful presentations and compassionate voice, Bob has helped deepen the Board of Commissioners’ understanding of mental health challenges and emphasized the importance of expanding behavioral health services. His work has shaped EvergreenHealth’s response to community needs and strengthened support for vulnerable populations.

We are grateful for Bob’s dedication and proud to recognize his contributions to advancing the health of our community."

-- Virgil Snyder, Chair, EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners

Learn more here: http://bit.ly/4luYEKh

8/19/2025 

EvergreenHealth Honors Redmond Resident, "2024 Community Service Award"

 

(l-r) sister Joanne Dearth from No. Carolina, Bob Yoder, Pam Yoder

"Since 1998, EvergreenHealth has recognized individuals who make a meaningful impact on community health through its Community Service Award. This year, Bob Yoder was honored for his outstanding leadership and advocacy in mental health care.

Through his thoughtful presentations and compassionate voice, Bob has helped deepen the Board of Commissioners’ understanding of mental health challenges and emphasized the importance of expanding behavioral health services. His work has shaped EvergreenHealth’s response to community needs and strengthened support for vulnerable populations.

We are grateful for Bob’s dedication and proud to recognize his contributions to advancing the health of our community."

Learn more here: http://bit.ly/4luYEKh

-- Virgil Snyder, Chair

Board of Commissioners

EvergreenHealth

Vote "yes" On Evergreenhealth Proposition 1, Endorsements

EvergreenHealth, Our Independent Community-Owned Hospital

Submitted by: Barb Jensen, Josh Pratt, Kevin Hanson

As a nurse, emergency department physician and firefighter/EMT, we’ve witnessed the health care needs of our communities growing as the region has. We know the Puget Sound area has a critical shortage of available hospital beds and wait times for primary and specialty care appointments can be long. We’ve seen a growing number of healthcare mergers leading to consolidated services and longer travel times for many services.

Proposition 1 will address these challenges and renew support for EvergreenHealth - our independent, community-owned public hospital - to meet the needs of the Eastside on the Eastside.

Vote yes to reduce wait times and expand access. Prop 1 means more physicians and clinical staff and expanded access to primary, emergency, and specialty care including maternity services and behavioral healthcare.

Vote yes to maintain high quality. EvergreenHealth is nationally recognized for its quality of care receiving five stars from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service and ranked a top-50 hospital nationally by Healthgrades. Prop. 1 allows investments to maintain this high quality.

Vote yes to keep quality care close to home and protect local decision-making.  Prop 1 ensures EvergreenHealth stays independent, avoiding the need to merge with a larger organization where services and staff will be consolidated and local residents will likely have to travel to Seattle or other urban centers for many services.

When our families need medical help – in an emergency, for regular check-ups or specialized care – we want to access high-quality healthcare close to home. Join physicians, nurses and emergency responders in voting yes on EvergreenHealth’s Prop. 1 to expand access here on the Eastside and protect our independent, locally-controlled community healthcare.

-- Submitted by: Barb Jensen, Josh Pratt, Kevin Hanson,              www.yesevergreenhealth.com

City To Partner With County On Crisis Response

 

City Plans to Partner with King County's Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team.

• In 2018, the Police Department launched their co-response model, utilizing a mental health professional on police calls. In 2021, the City expanded to a tiered community health model called THRIVE including homeless outreach, mobile integrated health, and community care coordinators.
•  As an addition to the current program, the Redmond may partner with King County’s Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team (MRRCT) to provide the city with 24/7 mental health response.
• OUTCOMES: Staff has recommended partnering with MRRCT to provide de-escalation services 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. MRRCT is equipped with two-person units, staffed by behavioral health professionals and peer counselors. The teams respond to incidents involving adults aged 18 and older experiencing mental health crises. 
• King County placed a team in Redmond, stationed at the Together Center  "SOUND," office. although there are other Crisis Teams countywide. All teams are a part of King County’s Behavioral Health Program and the teams are dispatched through 911, 988, or their direct line. 
• Utilizing King County’s services comes at no additional cost to Redmond as it is funded through the King County Crisis Care Levy. 
•  SOURCE:  Committee of the Whole - Public Safety and Human Services (Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 4:30 p.m.)

Updated 6/27: EvergreenHealth Levy Funds Community Programs

EvergreenHealth, Kirkland
Your Community - Owned Hospital

EvergreenHealth will continue to use levy funding to help support free and low-cost community education classes, programs, and events on a wide variety of everyday and specialized health and wellness topics, developed by experts and available to everyone in our community.

LEVY FUNDED PROGRAMS:

The Community Healthcare Access Team (CHAT) is probably EvergreenHealth's flagship levy-funded community service: 

• If you have a loved one looking for quality long-term care CHAT will help you. Trust me, this is a great service.  We were "left on our own" when my mother in California desperately needed a decent long-term home. 
• CHAT also offers financial assistance, insurance coverage "navigators", and assistance for low-income and underinsured. 
• CHAT partners with Hopelink for psycho-social asistance and transporting patients. 

The EvergreenHealth levy invests in our youth and seniors:  

• They provide four social workers at LWSD for help during a mental health crisis.
• The North Shore School District hires levy-funded mental health therapists to provide access to mental health providers.  They held 2,961 visits in 2024.  
• Levy provide access to "Palliative"  support for you and family members facing serious illness; and Hospice care.  
• There's off-site access to geriatric care for seniors with dementia and behavioral health problems.  

EvergreenHealth offered access to 114 community-funded educational health classes in 2024, including the "Youth Suicide Emergency Kit."

If the levy lid lift passes, outpatient behavioral services will be accessed in primary care clinics and psychiatric services accessed in EvergreenHealth's two Emergency Departments.  

-- Bob Yoder, 6/15,2025, updated 6/27/2025

School District To Host Inaugural Wellness Fair

Please join us! Lake Washington School District to host Inaugural Wellness Fair.

Saturday, June 14 community event will celebrate wellbeing

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District (LWSD) invites staff, families, and the broader community to its inaugural Wellness Fair on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the L.E. Scarr Resource Center (16250 NE 74th Street, Redmond, WA 98052).

This free, family-friendly event is hosted by the LWSD Workforce Mental Health Workgroup and celebrates wellness in all forms—mind, body, and spirit.

Attendees will enjoy a rich lineup of wellness experiences—like yoga, sound baths, Zumba, art therapy, and a build-your-own succulent bar. Interactive booths, a curated wellness book nook by Brick & Mortar Books, and expert-led panels round out the day’s offerings.

Families can enjoy face painting and interactive wellness games all set to the sounds of LWSD student ensembles performing live throughout the day. Meet adoptable dogs from The Haus of Dogs and discover the healing joy of pet companionship. There will also be a Q&A session with a professional dog trainer, Joshua from Heel and Heal K-9, offering insights on pet care, training tips, and the benefits of pet companionship.

Local food trucks, including Nacho Rio, will be on site serving up delicious bites.

“Our aim is to create a space that restores, uplifts, and connects,” said Dr. Joy Ross, Co-Chair of the Workforce Mental Health Workgroup. “Whether it’s mindfulness or movement, adoptable dogs or rich conversations that support our mental health journeys, this event is about embracing the fullness of wellbeing and reminding ourselves that joy, healing, and wholeness are within reach.”

We look forward to celebrating wellness with you!

####

About Lake Washington: Lake Washington School District  is a high-performing, fast-growing public school district serving Kirkland, Redmond, and Sammamish, Washington. It is the second largest district in the state of Washington, with over 30,500 students in 55 schools.

EvergreenHealth Expands Behavioral Health Services

 

Such exciting news!

"Brianne Burnett, LICSW, MHP, CMHS, is EvergreenHealth's new Director of Behavioral Health! Brianne has been an impactful member of the EvergreenHealth team for years, most recently serving as the Ambulatory Behavioral Health Manager.

In her new role, she will oversee the strategic and operational direction of EvergreenHealth’s Behavioral Health program. Under the direction of Brianne, we look forward to expanding Behavioral Health services to our community."

-- EvergreenHealth, 4/25/2025

45th Legislative District Town Hall, March 15, 2025 / Quite Revealing

Rep. intros at 3.5 minutes. The bulk of the town hall starts at 17 minutes.  Rare opportunity to learn the state of Washington State.  It's not good.   

Food Insecurity In Redmond

Volunteering at the Hopelink Food Bank 

Hopelink Food Program

NourishingNetworks

Open  Kitchen - Redmond United Methodist Church

   -- Wednesday 5-6 PM Dine-in or Take-out

Please click "comment" below to leave them.

Backyard Cherry Tree

 

Massive cherry tree specimen 

A view from my desk to our backyard cherry tree.  You can't see, but it's a grouping of 2 landmark trees and 2 others (cabled) reaching over our fence.  Can you find the bird house we nailed to the trunk years ago without use of a ladder?  Yes, it's grown tremendously in our 36 years here.  All kinds of wildlife live in this tree, including racoon families.  On the downside, it's a garbagy tree.  In the Spring, faint blossoms and copious pollen falls on our windshields for weeks, then in the summer and Fall a multitude of sepals, inedible cherries and leaves must be swept from the patio.  Though this monster is my "therapy tree," I'll be glad to leave it behind when I move out of Redmond this year.       

-- Bob Yoder, 1/25/2025

For personal reasons, I'm taking a break from this blog.  I may be back in several weeks or so. [Most of the "Popular Posts" on the sidebar are dated.] 

Balducci Issues Statement On Harborview Tax Vote

 

Balducci issues statement on tax vote for Harborview Medical Center

 

The King County Council on Tuesday approved the so-called “Sunshine Ordinance” which sets the type and rate of county taxes each year, which funds a broad spectrum of basic government services. To fund Harborview Medical Center operations, maintenance and capital expansion, this year’s ordinance includes a dedicated property tax increase of 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, costing the average King County homeowner about $7.30 per month.

After Tuesday’s vote, King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci, a member of the King County leadership group that led to the creation of the Harborview funding proposal, released the following statement:

“I am proud of the action we took today to ensure Harborview Medical Center continues serving the people of King County and our region. The public we serve – and the workers who make this hospital so critical to the health of our region – will benefit from the investments we are making. Harborview offers an essential lifeline by prioritizing those most in need of care and compassion with the fewest resources to access it: care for people without insurance, survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, and people with mental illness or substance use issues.

King County Launches 10 Additional Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Teams

This week King County launched new mobile crisis teams to help people experiencing a mental health, drug or alcohol crisis.

Teams travel across the county to de-escalate behavioral health crises and connect people to support services. King County added 10 teams for a total of 27 teams operated by the Downtown Emergency Service Center and Sound Behavioral Health.

“We’re building a robust crisis system where everyone has access to the care they need, when and where they need it — reducing hospital and jail visits,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “By expanding the number of mobile response teams, we're on track to ensure people in crisis can get 24/7 help from a specialized behavioral health team.”

Anyone can text or call 988 for help and support.

Seattle Times article, 12/5/24  (1 minute read) 

Posted by Yoder, 12/5/24

King County property taxes fund this service.

LWSD Data Reveals Alarming Mental Health Challenges Facing Their Senior Students

Recent data from the 2023 LWSD Healthy Youth Survey reveals the alarming mental health challenges facing high school seniors: 25% report symptoms of depression, 12% have contemplated suicide, and 26% feel they have no adult to confide in. Additionally, 13% have experienced unwanted sexual contact, and 11% identify as “problem” or “heavy” drinkers. These figures underscore an urgent need for expanded access to mental health care.

“The statistics are alarming, but they also highlight the incredible need for a service like Care Solace,” remarked Katy Philips, LWSF Executive Director. “We are grateful for the opportunity to make mental health care more accessible and to work alongside LWSD and the City of Redmond to support our community’s well-being.”

Care Solace connects individuals with a large network of verified mental health providers, addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, substance use, trauma, and more. The service offers 24/7/365 multilingual support in over 200 languages and is available at no cost to all LWSD students, families, and staff, regardless of insurance status.

By offering a centralized hub for connecting individuals to mental health care providers, Care Solace ensures timely, confidential access to services while relieving school staff of the challenging task of referring students to appropriate care. The platform’s database of over 560,000 providers enables efficient connections and ensures that students, especially those from historically underserved communities, receive the right support.

-- Lake Washington Schools Foundation

Updated: Mental Health Resonates In Kirkland

Kirkland is becoming the focal point for mental health care on the Eastside.  EvergreenHealth announced in their Fall "Monitor" newsletter they have expanded Behavioral Health into their new Canyon Park Urgent Care.

 One of their patients said:

Thank you for listening to me and helping me to get connected to a psychiatrist.  I feel like I have finally found what works for me, and it has changed my life.  

According to EvergreenHealth, "the initiative at Canyon Park is just a first step." They look forward to expanding behavioral health services to the broader community.  "Behavioral health is an essential line of service that levy funds are helping to expand into the community."

The Emergency Departments of EvergreenHealth have treated mentally vulnerable ill patients over the years...many severe.  Their ER physicians are backed up by highly-trained social workers and a remodeled department.  Treating these complex patients has been a challenge for community-owned EvergreenHealth.  Now...some terrific news for our community and outlying cities.  

CONNECTIONS

As of August, 2024 Kirkland has an amazing new 26-bed mental health "crisis care" service CONNECTIONS to take the burden off Evergreen and expand out-patient behavioral health care.  The Center is Located in Totem Lake behind the Olive Garden in a business complex. 11410 NE 122 Way.  425-650-4005.  

Highlights include: 

1. A walk-in urgent care facility available 24/7 to serve anyone with a mental health and/or substance use related need. Most folks will be good after being seen in the urgent care clinic and not have additional care needs. 

2. For people who come to a crisis care center and need a higher level of behavioral health care, there is a 23-hour observation unit. This full spectrum psychiatric setting includes comfortable recliners, nature photography that brings the outdoors in, and natural light.    

3. For those who need more than 23 hours, the center has a 14-day crisis stabilization unit with 32 beds in rooms with windows letting in natural light. This is a setting able to meet high needs and includes calming rooms and a common space.  

4. The center also has a meeting space to follow-up with people after they visit a crisis care center and connect them to helpful wellness or social services.  

Share the good news with your friends and family!  The doors are always open to all, with or without insurance.  

Finally, a Health Through Housing (HTH) homeless building is planned for Kirkland.

-- posted by Yoder, 11/18/24  Updated:  12/11/24

COO Mark Wimley, EvergreenHealth Notable Executive

Mark Wimley, COO EvergreehHealth
Medical Group 

"Well Together Blog"

 2/26/2024

At EvergreenHealth, we provide clinically sophisticated diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for heart disease and heart attack – and we're recognized by Healthgrades as a national leader in heart care. I'm proud to work for an organization that provides this level of care. And, in fact, I'm here and healthy today as a result of it. 

I was 42 and fit in 2016 when I had a heart attack at a Totem Lake gym. For several years, I'd been leading an informal workout group with other EvergreenHealth staff members and physicians. While finishing a set of 15 reps of a burpee pull-up combo, I suddenly felt intense pain in my right chest. I thought maybe I'd torn my pectoral muscle or was experiencing gastroesophageal reflux. I wasn't thinking about my heart. 

I approached Dr. Jeff Tomlin and described my symptoms. When I mentioned a squeezing sensation, Dr. Tomlin quickly took me to his truck and drove me to our Kirkland Emergency Department (ED). An EKG confirmed that I was experiencing a heart attack. Two stents later, I was recovering in the ICU and feeling pretty good when I had a second heart attack.

350-Bed Forensic Center Planned For Western State Hospital

Gov. Jay Inslee and leaders from the state Department of Social and Health Services break ground on the new Forensic Center of Excellence on the Western State Hospital campus.

On Thursday morning, state leaders gathered in Lakewood to break ground on a new hospital to be built on the Western State Hospital campus. The hospital will be a secure facility with 350 beds to serve forensic patients (those accused of a crime and ordered by a court to receive treatment before trial).

Construction of the new Forensic Center of Excellence will complete by 2029.

This project turns a page in state history. Washington state is a different place than it used to be. Western State Hospital is a different place than it used to be. And under the direction of Gov. Jay Inslee, the state’s approach to behavioral health care is different than it used to be.

It’s all change for the better.

Read the full story on Gov. Jay Inslee's Medium

Posted 10/18/24