Public Mental Health Services

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) administers the mental health program for the State of Washington. The mental health program:

Provides care and treatment for people with severe and recurring mental illness, and children with serious emotional disturbance and their families;
Operates a crisis response system for all of Washington's citizens;
Regulates the individuals that provide mental health services; and,
Develops mental health policy for all providers of public mental health services.

Acute/Crisis Care		Resources for Special Populations
Access Mental Health Crisis Lines What is Acute Care?		Best Practices (PDF documents) for: Children, American Indian/Alaska Native Children, Adult Ethnic Minorities, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Individuals, People with Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Disorders, and Older Adults or "Geriatric" Clients Healthcare for Workers With Disabilities (HWD website) The Mental Health Needs of American Indians in Washington State (2003) (PDF) Signs and Symptoms in Children and Adolescent Behavior Housing for Homeless People Resource Guide


Outpatient Services
Access to local mental health services (RSNs) Medicaid Benefits Your Rights Ombuds Services, Complaints, Grievance Process Local Clubhouses
Long-term Inpatient Services
Child Study & Treatment Center Eastern State Hospital Western State Hospital Laws protecting Confidentiality
Residential Treatment Facilities		For Mental Health Professionals
All Children's Inpatient McGraw Center (Seattle, WA) Pearl Street Center (Tacoma, WA) Tamarack Center (Spokane, WA)		County Designated Mental Health Professionals (CDMHP) Federal 1915(b) (Medicaid) Waivers Licensing for Mental Health Professionals (Counseling) Mental Health Agency Licensing & Certification
Involuntary Treatment Services
Center for Forensic Services (WSH) Criminal and Civil process Forensic Services Unit (ESH)