County might add 'crisis responders' to address mental health
EVERETT — The Snohomish County Council will explore expanding a team of behavioral health professionals that provides emergency support to people dealing with suicidal thoughts, addiction and other mental health problems.
While discussing next year’s budget on Wednesday, Council Chairman Nate Nehring and Vice Chairwoman Stephanie Wright proposed adding another staff member to the county’s 16 “designated crisis responders.”
Councilwoman Megan Dunn asked colleagues to consider funding 10 more mental health professionals and one supervisor for the program, which is now paid for by the state. The team is dispatched through a hotline, 1-800-584-3578, operated by the Volunteers of America Western Washington; its members can determine whether someone in crisis meets the legal criteria to be temporarily held at a psychiatric facility to protect themselves or others.
From January to September of this year, the county’s crisis responders served more than 8,000 people.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/county-might-add-crisis-responders-to-address-mental-health/
