Behavioral Health Resources for Young Adults (18-24)
Did You Know?
Mental health challenges can affect anybody regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, or socio-economic background.
Mental health challenges are not caused by poor decisions.
Mental health challenges affects a person’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
50% of mental illness begins by age 14.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10 to 24.
Untreated mental health challenges can lead to lifelong physical and emotional effects, including shorter lifespan.
Mental Health Challenges are Common in Young Adults
According to Harvard University:
50% of young adults aged 18-24 report experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Young adults report roughly twice the rates of anxiety and depression as teens.
More than half of young adults report that financial worries achievement pressure and a lack of meaning or purpose are negatively impacting their mental health.
In any given year, only 30% of young adults in Washington state with behavioral health challenges are identified and receive care.
In any given year, only 30% of young adults in Washington state with behavioral health challenges are identified and receive care.
Young adults’ behavioral health needs often go unaddressed because:
The stigma often associated with mental health struggles.
Lack of knowledge regarding mental health.Difficulty accessing or paying for services.
Young adults who do not receive the care they need are more likely to:
Struggle in their relationships
Experience barriers in work and school
Experience more health conditions that impact how long we live
Pass behavioral health struggles onto any children they have
Know Your Risk Factors
Almost a quarter of young adults enter adulthood with a high ACE score (Adverse Childhood Experiences) of 4 or more. Research shows that having an high ACE score puts adults at risk for:
Chronic physical health problems including chronic pulmonary lung disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and heart disease
Mental health issues like chronic depression and anxiety
Risky behaviors (substance abuse, smoking, risky sexual behaviors)
Reduced life expectancy
Suicidal behavior
Nine of the 10 leading causes of death inAmerica are associated with ACEs.
Your ACE score counts experiences of abuse, neglect and household challenges that happened to you as a child. Learn Your ACE Score
Your ACE score is not destiny. ACEs do not need to define what happens next in your life because you are resilient and healing is possible. Accessing behavioral health supports can help you find strategies, healthy practices, routines and tools to rewire your body and your brain.
Strong social connections, including working with a trusted therapist and team of health professionals can help people overcome the negative health impacts of adversity.
What Are My First Steps to Getting Help?
If you are in need of mental health services for a yourself or a young adult but are not in crisis, the services available depend on the type of healthcare coverage you have.
If you have private insurance you can look on the back of your insurance card to locate the direct number to call to find the right provider in your network.
If you have Apple Health (Medicaid) through the Washington Health Plan Finder (Molina, United Healthcare, Community Health Plan of WA, Wellpoint or Coordinated Care) you can call your health insurance directly and ask the care coordinator to assist you in setting up a psychological evaluation and therapy appointments.
You may be eligible for Apple Health: For additional information visit wahealthplanfinder.org or call 1-855-923-4633
You can also contact your local Community Behavioral Health Providers for an appointment:
Sea Mar Behavioral Health: 425-609-5505
Compass Health: 840-822-7609
Center for Human Services: 206-362-7282
Stillaguamish Tribe BH: 360-435-3985
Therapeutic Health Services: 833-278-HELP
Sunrise Behavioral Health: 425-595-5200
If you purchased health insurance through the Washington Benefit Exchange and experience any difficulty accessing your mental health benefit, contact your insurance company directly.
Learn how to access the Crisis Continuum of Care
If you are experiencing distress or in crisis, call 988.
Young adults between the ages of 18- 21 physically located in Snohomish County and at-risk of or experiencing a behavioral health crisis can get support from the Child, Youth, and Family Crisis Team which offers short term crisis interventions services with certified peer counselors, care coordinators and mental health professionals. This service is 24/7 and free and can be reached by calling 1-800-584-3578.
If you or a young adult you know are struggling with substance abuse and/or mental health challenges, the Snohomish County Outreach Team (SCOUT) can help homeless young adults access recovery resources and may be able to assist with housing after engaging in treatment. Contact SCOUT at 425-422-2678.
Drop-in Mental Health Urgent Care is also available through the Providence Swedish Behavioral Health Urgent Care located at 1330 Rockefeller Ave, Everett (M-F 9:30 am to 5 pm and Connections Kirkland at 11410 NE 122nd Way, Kirkland (24/7).
Resources
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Find a Therapist
PsychologyToday.comState Community Resources
#211Sea Mar Behavioral Health
425-609-5505Compass Health
840-822-7609Center for Human Services Catholic
206-362-7282Community Services-SUD
425-258-527 -
Providence Behavioral Health Urgent Care
988 (M-F; 9:30AM-5PM)
Child, Youth and Family Crisis Team
800-584-3578Youth Navigation Program (YNP)
360-416-7013Cocoon House
425-349-8337Designated Crisis Responders
800-584-3578 -
Recovery Helpline (24/7)
1-866-789-1511TXT 4HELP (13-21)
Text safe to 44357WA Teen Link (13-20)
866-833-6546HearMeWA
888-537-1634I’m Hurting Crisis Chat
800-584-3578Trevor Project Trans Lifeline
866-488-7386 -
Tulalip Behavioral Health
360-716-4400Native and Strong Lifeline (Option 4)
988Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team
360-502-3365Stilllaguamish Behavioral Health
360-435-3985 -
YouthNet
360-336-1610Cocoon House
425-259-5802Extended Foster Care
866-363-4276 -
WorkSource Everett
425-258-6300Everett CC Pathways Coaches
425-388-9339Edmonds College Passport to College
425-640-1753Center for Independence
360-393-3890
Access the printable trifold for a concise overview of resources and support:
Sources: Making Caring Common (2023). On Edge: Understanding and Preventing Young Adults’ Mental Health Challenges. WA State Health Care Authority (2023). Access to Behavioral Health Services for Children, Youth and Young Adults.