Opinion: Better community mental health requires a common effort
By Patrick C. Evans – Sound
Feb 18, 2021
Most of us know someone who is distressed, anxious or depressed. We have loved ones, friends, neighbors and co-workers who just have not been themselves. Months of isolation, job loss, uncertainty and burnout brought on by the pandemic and its aftermath have taken their toll, a fact highlighted through data recently reported by Public Health – Seattle & King County.
According to the department, there has been a 24% increase in crisis calls (reported for November 2020) from the previous year. The same report states an increase of more than 40,000 people signing up for Medicaid at the end of 2020 than at the beginning of that year, which could make quality behavioral health care more affordable and accessible. So, why are so few of us in the community, in such obvious need, failing to seek the support we need?
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