Washington cities are decriminalizing magic mushrooms. Could a psychedelic ‘renaissance’ take hold statewide? Resolutions have decriminalized psilocybin in cities across Western Washington. Studies show psychedelics can help people suffering from trauma, depression, and anxiety. And more people are microdosing for their mental health. Stephen Howie
Free online therapy for teens and young adults is coming to Seattle City leaders announced a new partnership with Talkspace, an online behavioral health care company, on Tuesday. Those services are now available across Seattle, free of charge to anyone between the ages of 13 and 24. Sami West
Bellingham nonprofit offers therapy on wheels Lydia Place, a Whatcom County nonprofit, has turned a Ford Transit cargo van into a therapy office on wheels. Kyle Norris
6 tips for staying grounded during the 2024 election It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the flood of election headlines and opinions. Here are six tips for forming better news consumption habits that you can put into action today. Jessica Jones
Seattle's non-police first responders prepare to expand footprint Seattle’s unarmed crisis responders are staffing up as they prepare to answer calls citywide by next spring. Additional job postings for 18 responders and three supervisors should be online in the coming days, officials say. Amy Radil
In Seattle area, 988 mental health hotline supports tens of thousands in crisis When people call 988, they get immediate help — but from a trained crisis counselor instead of law enforcement or paramedics. So far, close to 100,000 people have called or texted 988 from Puget Sound-based area codes. Eilís O'Neill
King County is getting its first walk-in mental health crisis center A new walk-in crisis care center in Kirkland for people experiencing mental health emergencies will start accepting patients in early August. Eilís O'Neill
Mental health pilot program at Seattle schools is working, but challenges remain Officials say they are seeing results from a pilot program that began last year to provide enhanced mental health services for students at a handful of Seattle schools. But they say the need for those services across the district remains high. Diana Opong
Why this UW doctor wants colleagues to ask patients if they are lonely Medical professionals have started noting that isolation and loneliness are increasingly factors in health care, alongside smoking or exercise. One Seattle doctor urges his colleagues to ask their patients about it. Patricia Murphy
