Happy New Year!
SOUND Behavioral Health is entering 2025 with renewed purpose, marked by our refreshed mission and website. With the full support of our board and leadership team, I am proud to share SOUND's new mission statement:
"Improving lives by providing equitable, recovery focused behavioral health care for all in our community."
This mission reflects our organization's evolution and commitment to addressing healthcare inequities while building on our core competencies. It also aligns with our advocacy for widespread Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) in Washington state, which embody our fundamental belief that quality care should be accessible to everyone who needs it.
I'm also delighted to announce the launch of our redesigned website at www.sound.health. The new site better showcases who we are, the services we provide, how to access care, and ways our supporters can contribute to our mission. I encourage you to explore it firsthand.
December 2024 marked a significant milestone for us with the successful launch of the Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team (MRRCT), in partnership with King County, DESC, and Crisis Connections. We now have a fleet of fully equipped vans providing 24/7 crisis response services across the North, East and South regions of King County, responding to calls dispatched through 988. We're proud to be at the forefront of this expanded King County initiative with our partner agencies, which has garnered substantial media attention:
· King County expands mobile teams that bring care to people in crisis | The Seattle Times
· Kiro 7 News – King County deploys new mobile crisis teams to assist with mental health emergencies
· KUOW - King County expands mobile crisis team
In addition, we continue to celebrate our partnership with Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf and his My Cause My Cleats awareness campaign benefiting SOUND’s Deaf Services Program. Over the holidays, King 5 featured a powerful story highlighting perspectives from a Deaf Services client and Lead Clinician, Heidi Isakson, showcasing the program's importance. You can watch the segment here.
As we look to the future, we recognize the political uncertainties that lie ahead. Our commitment to providing an equitable and safe space for all in our community remains unwavering. We are closely monitoring state and federal funding developments while strengthening our programs and partnerships to serve our community from a position of financial stability and strategic awareness. Recently, I had the opportunity to address business leaders at the Seattle Chamber of Commerce's Community Development Roundtable, highlighting SOUND Behavioral Health's vital role in our region's wellbeing.
We carry on our advocacy work through the Fourfront Contributor coalition as we prepare for the 2025 Legislative Session in Olympia. Our primary focus is protecting behavioral health services from potential budget cuts. I will be participating in a panel discussion about CCBHCs at the upcoming Washington State of Reform Health Policy Conference. If you're attending the conference, I invite you to join the conversation or visit Fourfront’s table to connect with members of our statewide team.
The achievements of 2024 and our vision for 2025 would not be possible without the dedication of our staff, the support of our partners, the generosity of our donors and the trust of our community. Together, we're building a stronger, more equitable, behavioral health care system for all.
Warm regards,
Katrina Egner
SOUND President & CEO
For Mental Health Awareness Month, SOUND launched the Orange Door campaign to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health. Seven bright orange doors are on display across King County—at places like Pike Place Market and UW—symbolizing the hope, healing, and recovery we offer to 15,000 people each year. As need grows and funding remains uncertain, we’re asking our community to stand with us. Thank you to our partners and supporters for helping make this campaign possible.
Read moreThis spring, amid ongoing uncertainty, Sound remains a steady force for our clients and partners. As state leaders shape the next budget, we’re urging them to maintain Medicaid funding—vital to our services and the people we serve. Our programs ease pressure on emergency rooms, law enforcement, and first responders by providing effective, community-based care. Continued support for initiatives like Mobile Crisis Teams and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) is essential. We thank our public, private, and community partners for standing with us as we work toward a healthier, more stable future.
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Stay Connected with SOUND: Read Our Latest Newsletter! Check out the latest edition of SOUND’s newsletter for updates on our programs, community partnerships, upcoming events, and the incredible impact we’re making together. Also check to find ways you can get involved in supporting behavioral health in our community.
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