Summary

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced a new partnership with Ballmer Group to invest more than $2.4 million in expanding access to a broad range of health care, including mental health supports in school-based health centers through 2025.

Story

As young people across the nation are facing unprecedented mental health issues, King County is expanding mental health enhancements in school-based health centers (SBHCs) through 2025 with an investment of more than $2.4 million thanks to a partnership with Ballmer Group. The centers provide a range of services from primary care to well-child exams and mental health counseling, and collaborate with schools to address any concerns or adverse experiences that affect students' healthy development.

The programs are supported by $1.2 million from King County’s Best Starts for Kids Initiative within the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) and Public Health — Seattle & King County, with an additional $1.2 million from Ballmer Group over the next three years. These investments will connect community groups and SBHCs to provide culturally responsive mental health care to reach young people, and particularly young people who don't have access to these supports.

“Nationwide, young people are facing a growing mental health crisis, and this partnership means more of King County’s young people will have access to care and a helping hand when they need it most,” said Executive Constantine. “This partnership with Ballmer Group gives us an opportunity to extend resources deeper into communities that are calling for mental health support. This investment will grow connections within the communities these school-based health centers serve, and I want to thank Ballmer Group for their commitment to the health and future of students across King County.” 

Before the pandemic, young people faced growing mental health challenges, especially with anxiety and depression, and COVID-19 exacerbated these trends. In April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning on the mental health challenges of youth and young adults. The United States Preventive Task Force called for the regular screening of children ages eight to 18 for anxiety. In King County, we saw an increase among 10 to 13-year-olds for emergency room visits for suspected suicide attempts. These mental health enhancements at SBHCs can offer direct supports to young people.

"We've seen great evidence for how school-based health centers can lead to better outcomes for young people — in school and beyond. And by enhancing mental health services, we're continuing to meet the needs of this generation. I'm grateful for the community organizations that have stepped forward to offer these services,” said Dr. Faisal Khan, director of Public Health — Seattle & King County. 

King County awarded funds to the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County’s Southeast Network, King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, International Community Health Services, and Neighborcare Health. Clinics in Seattle Public Schools, Bellevue, and Highline school districts will be reached with these additional services and supports. 

“The Boys and Girls Clubs of King County's SE Network team will continue its commitment to advance social and restorative justice, racial equity, and culturally responsive service to increase physical and behavioral health care at Rainier Beach High School,” said Marty Jackson, executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County's SE Network, one of the community partners. “By offering enhanced strategies such as Peace and Healing Circles to address conflict and trauma exacerbated by the global pandemic; this collaboration will affect systemic change in how all healthcare is administered and received at the high school level."

SBHCs began in 1989 as a pilot program at Rainier Beach High School and now extend throughout King County, including 36 clinics in elementary, middle, and high schools. In the 2021-22 school year, these clinics provided services to more than 8,000 individual students who sought medical and mental health care that resulted in nearly 40,000 visits and among that 19,076 were mental health visits.        

Open to all students, SBHCs and are designed to meet the needs of students with the highest needs. The centers increase access to integrated and coordinated primary medical care, mental health care, and oral health services. These services promote early intervention, prevention, and treatment of health-related barriers to learning and life success.  

Relevant links

• School Based Health Centers

Quotes

Nationwide, young people are facing a growing mental health crisis, and this partnership means more of King County’s young people will have access to care and a helping hand when they need it most. This partnership with Ballmer Group gives us an opportunity to extend resources deeper into communities that are calling for mental health support. This investment will grow connections within the communities these school-based health centers serve, and I want to thank Ballmer Group for their commitment to the health and future of students across King County.

We've seen great evidence for how school-based health centers can lead to better outcomes for young people — in school and beyond. And by enhancing mental health services, we're continuing to meet the needs of this generation. I'm grateful for the community organizations that have stepped forward to offer these services.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of King County's SE Network team will continue its commitment to advance social and restorative justice, racial equity, and culturally responsive service to increase physical and behavioral health care at Rainier Beach High School. By offering enhanced strategies such as Peace and Healing Circles to address conflict and trauma exacerbated by the global pandemic; this collaboration will affect systemic change in how all healthcare is administered and received at the high school level.

For media inquiries, contact:

Chase Gallagher, Executive Office, 206-263-8537