Just a few short weeks ago, SOUND Behavioral Health welcomed more than 400 community members, partners, and supporters to Fremont Studios for the annual SOUND of Hope Gala â an evening dedicated to expanding access to mental health and substance use services across King County.
Organizationally, Sound prevailed, thrived even, over the past year. The pandemic thrust us into âtriage mode,â where we quickly responded to the challenges it presented. We did not hesitate to take care of our team members, by extending paid sick leave and administrative pay for team members who had to stay at home to care for loved ones while working, and provided premium pay levels to team members who, due to client need, worked onsite at our locations. We rapidly outfitted each team member, more than 500 professionals with laptops so that team members could work from home when we all went into lockdown.
This past year, Sound acquired Community Psychiatric Clinic, a well-regarded behavioral healthcare provider in King County. With the acquisition of CPC, Sound increased the number of people served annually to approximately 26,000. We added four additional outpatient locations and dozens of properties. Though we are now generating $85 million of revenue on an annual basis, with 17 locations, the acquisition reflects a first step in an intentional growth strategy for the organization that will ultimately expand our reach beyond King County.
Itâs all about the future. The work Sound has been undertaking over the past year, the investments weâve made, the evolution of our business â itâs all about the future. Though our industry is rapidly changing, Sound keeps our vision on the future. The process requires equal parts enthusiasm and patience, flexibility and resolve and, importantly, a willingness to make difficult choices. Over the course of 2018, that is exactly what weâve done. Weâre building a great future for our clients, our team members, the larger community and we are doing it in so many ways.
In context of our history and our undying drive to best serve our community, 2017 was a pivotal year for Sound. Some of our changes were quite evident and pronounced while others were considerably more subtle, but no less significant. Without question, the changes in 2017 had purpose and intent, and have a singular focus to ensure that we can meet, and even exceed, our mission for years to come.
Second Annual Gala Fundraiser Exceeds SOUNDâs Fundraising Goal to Help Open More Doors to Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
About one in five Americans say disagreements over controversial issuesâespecially politicsâhave led them to become estranged from a family member. According to a survey by the American Psychiatric Association conducted last fall, political polarization continues to strain personal relationships, with little indication that these divisions are easing.
As western Washington moves deeper into fall and winter, shorter days and persistent gray weather are setting inâa familiar reality for many residents. For some, however, these seasonal changes can trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression linked to reduced daylight, according to the Mayo Clinic.
