Angela Poe Russell to Host "Community Voices" Special on Mental Health Care

Converge Media's "Community Voices," hosted by Angela Poe Russell, is set to broadcast a pivotal episode on Monday, July 14th at 7 pm, focusing on accessible and affordable mental health care in King County. The special aims to shed light on the resources available to residents, particularly the Crisis Care Centers, which are funded by a voter-approved levy. Russell expressed her fortune in having "a platform to have these conversations," stating, "I think this is one of the most relevant topics we can take on right now."

The episode will delve into the implementation of a King County tax passed a few years ago, specifically designated for mental health Crisis Care Centers. Russell highlights that one such center is already operational in Kirkland, with four more planned across the county. This initiative seeks to provide immediate mental health support, akin to an urgent care facility for physical ailments. 

Panelists featured in the episode include Daniel Malone, the Executive Director of the Downtown Emergency Services Center, who will discuss the challenges faced by the homeless population dealing with mental health and substance use issues. Amy Dodgion, a Senior Manager of Behavioral Health Acute Care at Swedish Hospital, will also share insights on the growing need for behavioral health specialists in emergency settings and the difficulties in ensuring stable follow-up care for patients. 

Dr. Matt Goldman, Medical Director of the new Crisis Care Centers, will provide details on the four additional planned facilities in King County, one of which will be dedicated to youth. He will explain the levels of care offered, differentiating these centers from typical urgent care by allowing for potential overnight stays, indicating a more robust system of support. Jennifer Winslow, Strategic Planning Manager for the Crisis Care Centers, will also discuss the logistical aspects of getting these centers operational.

A significant discussion point in the episode will address community tensions surrounding the location of these centers. As Russell noted, "People always say we need mental health care. We need these centers, and we need these places, but not in my backyard. So we're going to have that conversation too."

The special also emphasizes that these mental health Crisis Care Centers are for everyone, not just those in immediate crisis or dealing with substance abuse. Russell passionately stated, "Oh, they are for everybody. It could be your teenager who's having anxiety. It could be your bus driver who's dealing with depression." Russell also reflected on cultural attitudes towards mental health: "I grew up where you were supposed to just deal with it, you shut down your emotions, and you deal with it, and you just push through, and that's not healthy." The aim is to encourage individuals to seek help before their conditions escalate to a crisis level.

Angela Poe Russell expressed hope that the episode will inform the public about how their votes are translating into tangible services and empower them to utilize these resources. She shared her personal takeaway from the episode: "I left hopeful, because so often in politics, we just wonder, like, what are they doing? You're not seeing the changes, and so it's just really refreshing to be able to see like, oh, we voted for something. Oh, the money is actually being put to use." She encourages viewers to "lean in" and share the information, emphasizing that while the first Crisis Care Center is in Kirkland, any King County resident can access its services. "Even though this first crisis care center is in Kirkland, if you live in King County, you can go there. You don't have to live in Kirkland to visit there. My main thing is just to share this information, people need to know the resources there, and let's take advantage of it." 

The "Community Voices" special is poised to highlight a long-overdue and much-needed shift in how mental health care is addressed in the county. Be sure to tune in on Monday, June 14th, at 7:00 p.m. across all Converge Media streaming platforms.