Increasing access to behavioral health care across Washington
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for behavioral health care has soared, yet many people are unable to access services due to provider shortages and gaps along the continuum of care. Among Washington adults reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression, 34.4 percent indicated an unmet need for counseling or therapy, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
In 2023, the MultiCare Behavioral Health Network opened two outpatient clinics and developed a new adolescent program to help address this burgeoning need.
One of those outpatient clinics is in Kitsap County, where the number of behavioral health providers is disproportionately low compared to other Washington counties. Launched in partnership with Molina Healthcare, the Port Orchard clinic offers in-person and virtual behavioral health services to adults, children and families.
MultiCare opened another outpatient behavioral health clinic in the Hillyard neighborhood of Spokane, a historically underserved area. Housed in a newly renovated building adjacent to the Northeast Community Center and across the street from Shaw Middle School, the clinic is in a prime location to serve students, families and other local residents.
To improve access to youth behavioral health care, MultiCare launched a new intensive adolescent day program. The MultiCare Behavioral Health Network Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides evidence-based therapy for youth 13 to 17 who struggle with depression, emotion regulation, chronic suicidality or self-harm behaviors.
Located at the Navos Health and Wellness Center in Burien, this six-week program is designed to serve adolescents returning to the community following inpatient psychiatric treatment, as well as those who are receiving outpatient care and need more focused support.