Health A boy named Adam: When psychosis spills onto Seattle streets (Lost Patients podcast) Will James Esmy Jimenez Sydney Brownstone
Homelessness Libraries in Western Washington confront the challenges of being open to all Libraries are taking on a new role as social service providers, hiring mental health professionals and in some cases building an entire in-house social services team to help people in crisis who come to the library because they have nowhere else to go. Libby Denkmann Stephen Howie Jason Burrows
Education A Seattle mom’s searing letter to a truant officer In January, an “attendance specialist” from Whitman Middle School sent a form letter to a Seattle mom, which included a warning that her son being late to school could result in court action. This is that mother’s response: Cassie Daughtrey
Science Wildfires don’t just threaten lives and property. They can also impact a person's mental health New research from the University of Washington has found a link between wildfires and mental health. Researchers say they’ve found a significant increase in prescriptions for antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications among people with pre-existing mental health needs in the six weeks following a major wildfire. Diana Opong
Politics Gen Z and millennials want to have a chat about mental health. With politicians For young Americans today, who hold immense electoral potential, the volatile political world they came of age in may be affecting their mental health. Some politicians have started to talk about it. Elena Moore
Politics The self-proclaimed 'Bipolar General' is waging war on the stigma of mental illness Maj. Gen. Gregg Martin led troops in Iraq while a second battle front opened inside his own mind. Now retired, he's fighting to break down the military taboo on getting help. Quil Lawrence
Technology Under growing pressure, Meta vows to make it harder for teens to see harmful content The social media company says it's introducing new policies to restrict teens from seeing posts about suicide, self-harm and eating disorders on Facebook and Instagram. Dara Kerr
Crime 'Astonishing' increase in car theft charges as juvenile criminal cases surge in King County Car theft charges brought against youth were up by more than 500% in King County last year. That’s just one of the charges driving a 61% increase in juvenile criminal bookings in 2023, including violent crime, gun possession and burglary. Ann Dornfeld
Police New mental health teams are hitting the streets in downtown Seattle alongside police Through a pilot program launched last fall, the city’s 911 dispatchers are now directing a team of mental health professionals to certain calls alongside police officers. Amy Radil
National Americans on Medicare now get better access to mental health care. Here's how Medicare now covers therapy appointments with licensed marriage and family counselors, and licensed professional counselors. Juana Summers Avery Keatley Sarah Handel