Children's Mental Health

What’s New
Snohomish County has hired a new Children’s Mental Health Liaison to assist community’s families, school and social service providers in accessing mental health services and navigating resources for children and adolescents. Contact Liza Patchen-Short at Liza.Patchen-Short@snoco.org or call her at 425-388-7254. If you need immediate help, click on the button below for resources:
  
 SHS-GetHelpNOW   SHS-WheretoSTART
Events
  • Sat, May 7, 2016: Youth Mental Wellness Fair
    10 am - 4 pm, Evergreen Middle School: 7621 Beverly Lane, Everett
    Special Guest & Motivational Speaker: Former NFL player, Trent Shelton!
    For more information, click the images to view the:
    • postcard SaveTheDate
    • event poster2016 Mental Wellness Fair Poster Final

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​Past Events


Mental Health Issues are Common in Children and Teens

According to the US Surgeon General: 

  • One in five children will suffer from a diagnosable mental health condition each year.
  • One in ten kids will have symptoms that are significant enough to seriously affect their functioning in school, at home, and in the community.

In any given year, only 20% of children with mental illness are identified and receive mental health services. Some reasons can include:

  • The stigma often associated with mental illness.
  • Lack of knowledge regarding mental health issues.
  • Difficulty accessing or paying for services.

Kids who do not receive the care they need are:

  • More likely to struggle in school.
  • Less likely to graduate from high school.
  • Likely to have difficult family and social relationships and are at a higher risk for family and social conflicts.
  • At higher risk for delinquency.
Did You Know?

Mental illness can affect anybody regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, or socio-economic background. ◦Mental illness is not caused by poor decisions.
  • Mental illness affects a person’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. 
  • 50% of mental illness begins by age 14. 
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 15-24. 
  • One in five children who need mental health care actually receives it.
Childrens MH pic