Alongside the new partnership with Talkspace, increased staffing at school-based health centers, and other holistic approaches, seven local mental health and wellness organizations will serve youth ages 13 to 24 through a suite of virtual and in-person care options
Photo with animation of youth reads "Youth mental wellness matters."
SEATTLE (January 28) – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell joined education and public health partners to a announce the recipients of $7 million in funding through the Department of Education and Early Learning’s (DEEL) 2024 Telehealth for Students & Youth Request for Proposal (RFP). Building on the community-informed recommendations in the City’s comprehensive report on youth mental health, these new investments will expand access to in-person and telehealth mental health services to support Seattle’s middle and high school students, as well as youth up to age 24, in 2025 and 2026.
“Seattle’s youth are the future of our city, and my administration remains committed to supporting a cohesive ecosystem of resources that help students navigate mental health challenges and put them on a path to emotional wellbeing,” said Mayor Harrell. “These new investments to expand telehealth services and in-person counseling through trusted community providers will help ensure that every student has the support they need to thrive, regardless of barriers like access or cost. The diversity of providers awarded recognizes the need to prioritize equitable access and deliver culturally competent care, especially for students in underserved communities. Working with partners across all levels of government and in the community, we will continue to build a healthier future for our youth and entire city.”
Set to launch in early 2025, this investment aligns with Seattle’s ongoing commitment to addressing the mental health needs of young people. The City’s 2025-2026 budget increased investments in youth mental health and overall wellness to $19.25 million, funding a range of strategies including expanding access to clinical treatment services. By providing accessible, evidence-based, and culturally attuned care, these new services will serve as a critical pillar of support for youth facing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Resources are also designed to be readily accessible to meet more emerging needs in the aftermath of incidents of violence in the community. Services will be delivered by trusted providers to meet young people’s unique needs.
Seven organizations have been selected to deliver these essential services for 2025 and 2025:
• Asian Counseling and Referral Service ($180,000): Specializing in culturally responsive services for Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
• Consejo Counseling and Referral Services ($201,000): Serving the Latinx and BIPOC populations with integrated mental health and substance use disorder care.
• Therapy Fund Foundation ($750,000): Focusing on accessible, culturally specific mental health care for Black communities and other historically marginalized groups.
• Seneca Family of Agencies ($168,000): Providing trauma-informed care to youth and families impacted by systemic marginalization.
• Joon/Joon Care ($1,024,000): A Seattle-based organization offering youth-centered telehealth therapy with a tech-forward, app-based approach.
• Seattle Children’s Hospital - Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic ($778,000): Delivering whole-person care to a diverse patient base, emphasizing behavioral health.
• Southwest Youth and Family Services ($398,000): A longstanding provider of holistic behavioral health services in West Seattle and South King County.
The selected organizations exemplify a shared commitment to equity, with services tailored to meet the diverse cultural, linguistic, and systemic needs of Seattle’s youth. They will offer students flexibility and choice in selecting providers who understand their lived experiences and unique challenges.
“This investment is a game-changer for Seattle’s youth, helping us break down barriers to mental health care and ensure every young person has access to the support they need to thrive,” said Dr. Dwane Chappelle, Director of the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning. “By partnering with trusted organizations that understand the unique challenges and strengths of our diverse communities, we’re delivering culturally responsive care to help foster long-term success in our schools and throughout our city.”
These partners join recently announced City partner Talkspace in providing youth and families with a variety of telehealth options so that they can choose the virtual therapy services that best meet their needs. Since launching in December, over 100 students have accessed mental health services through Talkspace.
This suite of telehealth services is part of the comprehensive approach the City is taking to supporting youth mental health, including hiring additional mental health counselors and behavioral care coordinator positions in 21 school-based health centers managed by Public Health – Seattle & King County. These 42 new positions will provide in-person support to students who need clinical interventions while also being able to make referrals to other services as needed, including telehealth. This new investment builds on the $62.9 million the City funds in school-based health centers through the seven-year Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy.
The Telehealth Services RFP process, launched in September 2024, was highly competitive, with eleven eligible applications received. Proposals were rigorously reviewed by a panel of experts, including representatives from DEEL, Seattle Public Schools (SPS), Public Health – Seattle King County, and community-based organizations. The funded proposals represent a diverse portfolio of providers ready to deliver immediate, scalable solutions in a variety of settings.
DEEL is working in close partnership with SPS to ensure that school-based services are aligned with district policies and that school leadership, staff, and the broader school community are consulted in the implementation of school-based telehealth supports.
To access virtual mental health care with Talkspace visit: https://www.talkspace.com/seattle
To learn more about the telehealth providers named in this announcement and access care, please click the organization websites linked above, or visit: http://www.seattle.gov/youthmentalhealth
To find additional information about 988 and related resources available through the city’s Reach Out initiative, visit: https://www.seattle.gov/reach-out
