This October brings a moment to reflect, recommit, and act. It’s a time to recognize the importance of mental health, honor those we serve, and renew our collective resolve toward hope, healing, and recovery.
I’m immensely proud to announce that SOUND has been selected by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) precertification. This marks a critical milestone on our path toward full CCBHC status, beginning statewide in January 2027. We’ll receive planning resources and technical support to build the systems, infrastructure, and workflows needed to transform how we deliver behavioral health care.
CCBHC isn’t simply a program—it’s system transformation that prioritizes value based, whole person care built on accountability, outcomes, and equity. We have an opportunity to reimagine how we serve communities, align with statewide efforts, and lead the way in Washington’s community behavioral health system. Find more here about Sound’s ongoing CCBHC journey.
In parallel, I’m excited to share that next year SOUND will launch the Zero Suicide framework—a system wide commitment to seeing, supporting, and safeguarding every person at risk. Implementing Zero Suicide means embedding suicide prevention into our culture, training, care design, transitions, and continuous improvement. Our goal is bold yet vital: making suicide a “never event” within our care system.
October also brings the anticipation of our SOUND of Hope Gala: Open Hearts, Open Doors, on November 22 at Fremont Studios. It’s a night to honor our community — sharing transformative client stories, hosting a unique auction, and celebrating with live entertainment by Hit Explosion and emcee Kelly Hanson from KING 5. But beyond celebration, the gala is a rallying point: a chance to invest in a future where healing, access, and connection are within reach for all.
This month is National Depression & Mental Health Screening Month—a reminder of how powerful awareness, early intervention, and care connection can be. It underscores why our work matters, and why the CCBHC momentum and Zero Suicide commitment are more than initiatives—they are imperatives.
I want to thank every member of our organization—clinical staff, leaders, operations, community partners, and supporters. Your dedication and vision have brought us to this moment. As we step into this next chapter, we’ll need your bold ideas, your energy, and your partnership more than ever. Together, we can reimagine care, save lives, and lead with hope.
Most sincerely,
Katrina Egner
SOUND President & CEO
As SOUND marks 60 years of service to the community, we sat down with Board Chair Roger Dowdy to reflect on the organization’s legacy, its role today, and the opportunities ahead.
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Learn how Sound Behavioral Health’s Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team (MRRCT) partners with communities to respond quickly, safely, and compassionately to behavioral health crises without relying on law enforcement. This webinar will explore how this 24/7 publicly funded service can be used by Southside Seattle businesses and organizations to support employees, customers, and neighbors while strengthening community safety.Speaking with us will be Katrina Egner, President and CEO of Sound Behavioral Health, who has spent nearly 30 years at SOUND and now leads one of Washington’s largest community behavioral health providers, advancing innovative, community-centered mental health and crisis response services across King County. She will be joined by Joe Vela, Director of Crisis Services at SOUND, who oversees the MRRCT program.
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SEATTLE — This year, SOUND Behavioral Health celebrates a remarkable milestone: 60 years of serving the people of King County with transformative mental health care, while standing with the community through times of profound change, challenge and hope.
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