Responsible for:
- Provide a channel for patient and family voice
- Share models of hope and recovery
Current Efforts:
- Assist families with communicating with treatment teams
- Provide resource and referrals for both hospital and community members
- Help resolve low-level complaints, respond to concerns and provide pathways for resolution
Services Provided:
- Respond to phone and in-person inquiries.
- Provide resources and educational programs and forums providing education related to Patient Rights and Privileges, mental illness and recovery.
- Supportive services to peers during emergency situations
Partnerships:
- Eastern State Hospital Patient Advocate
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Washington State (NAMI-WA)
- Pierce County Certified Peer Counselor Continuing Education through OptumHealth/Pierce Behavioral Health Organization
Contact Us:
Please note that our staff only serve Western State Hospital patients in Lakewood, WA. If you need an advocate for a different hospital, please contact that hospital for assistance.
Other Contacts:
Alyssa Kreiger, Gage Center Director of Patient Grievance Investigations
(Serves F1 – F10, E1, E2, E4, E5, E6)
Email: Alyssa.Kreiger1@dshs.wa.gov
Emily Dodsworth, Civil Center Patient Rights Investigator
(Serves C1 – C9, HMH, E3)
Email: Emily.dodsworth@dshs.wa.gov
Phone: 253-984-6597
Civil Center Patient Abuse/Neglect Line: (253) 984-6565
Gage Center Patient Abuse/Neglect Line: 253-761-7599
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Washington State
https://www.namiwa.org/
Find a local affiliate, state office phone line open regular business hours
Monday through Friday: 206-783-9264 | 800-782-9264