Behavioral Health Administration
Latest News
In May 2025, the Department of Social and Health Services consolidated key functions previously managed by the Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities and Aging and Long-Term Support Administrations into two new administrations: the Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration and the Home and Community Living Administration.
We’re excited to start reorganizing the website to reflect our new administrations, and we’re also thrilled to share that the department is updating the entire DSHS website to better serve you. Our goals are to make it easier to find information, access services, and stay informed about programs within our department. We expect the updates of our site’s design and content to be complete by summer 2026. In the meantime, you can still access information and resources about DSHS programs and facilities on our current webpages. Thank you for your patience as we make these improvements.
The Washington State Civil Discharge Settlement Agreement was recently reached between the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), the Health Care Authority (HCA) and Disability Rights Washington (DRW). It aims to improve discharge planning and outcomes for people civilly committed to Eastern and Western state hospitals. The Settlement Agreement is focused on improving discharge planning for civil patients who are or will be committed to the state hospitals for a period of 90 days or more.
You can read the Stakeholder Report here.
BHA annual report
The 2024 Behavioral Health Administration Annual Report highlights our efforts, including the people we serve, the types of treatment we offer, and the involvement of our staff.
The year 2024 marked significant foundational achievements for BHA. We broke ground on a new 350-bed facility. We made improvements in our programs and our facilities, increasing access to care to meet the ever-growing demand for state behavioral health services. We examined and improved services, increasing efficiency and collaboration with the community. We recognized and celebrated milestones, including the achievement that no Trueblood class members in jail are waiting more than seven days for inpatient evaluation or restoration services.
The complementary 2024 BHA By the Numbers report tells the story at a glance through graphs, pie charts and statistics. While both reports are comprehensive, they only capture some of what we do and how our services help Washington residents shape their lives.
What We Do
The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) transforms lives by supporting sustainable recovery, independence and wellness. We do this through funding and supporting effective prevention and intervention services for youth and families, and treatment and recovery support for youth and adults with addiction and mental health conditions (also known as behavioral health). It operates three state psychiatric hospitals and the Office of Forensic Mental Health Services that deliver high-quality services to adults and children with complex needs:
Our facilities include adult inpatient psychiatric facilities, an inpatient children’s psychiatric hospital, and a center for civilly committed sex offenders. In addition, our Office of Forensic Mental Health Services is responsible for managing Washington’s adult forensic mental health care system, which provides competency evaluation and restoration services. Forensic mental health services and competency restoration are for adults in the criminal court system.
Strategic planning is a critical component of successful organizations. It defines the direction of the agency and is used to make decisions about how to best allocate resources to achieve desired outcomes. Check out the BHA Strategic Plan.
How do I...
- Get immediate help for emotional support, crisis intervention and referrals?
- Get information on the Special Commitment Center?
- Get information on Child Study and Treatment Center?
- Get information about Eastern State Hospital?
- Get information on Western State Hospital?
- Get information on Office of Forensic Mental Health Services?
- Find services for American Indians and Alaska Natives?
- Find mental health services in my community?
- Find child and youth behavioral health services?
- Find substance use treatment services in my community?
- Prevent opioid overdose in a family member, friend or patient?
- Find the Washington Tribal Opioid Solutions campaign?
- Get help for problem gambling?
- Find recovery support services?
- Find peer support services?
- Find programs for preventing substance use treatment?