Mental Health Awareness
Mental Health Awareness
Seattle Human Resources' "Seattle Sheds Light on Mental Health," is a citywide focus on well-being activities, programs, webinars, and resources to support employees.
With Seattle Sheds Light, we aim to:
- Normalize self-care and mental health care
- Reduce the stigma of mental illness
- Elevate employee and family mental health resources and benefits
- Offer education opportunities
- Talk about anxiety, trauma, depression, coping, resiliency, and growth
May 2023 - Mental Health Awareness Month
Each year in observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, people gather together in a movement to raise awareness about mental health. The goal is to fight stigma, educate the public, provide support, and advocate for policies and resources. Below are some helpful materials from City partners and nonprofit organizations to support employees this year and spread awareness.
- Make Time for Your Mental Health and Wellness (Aetna)
- Self-Care Apps for Your Everyday Life (Kaiser)
- 2023 Look Around, Look Within – Outdoors Factsheet
- 2023 Look Around, Look Within – Home Environments Factsheet
- Mental Health America’s B4Stage4 Philosophy - changing the way we think about mental health (infographic)
Seattle Human Resources has also identified ways you might get involved and observe Mental Health Awareness Month.
- Read – Check out this list of books about mental health awareness. Be sure to check independent bookstores in your area.
- Listen – Personal stories of recovery and blogs to end stigma
- Learn – “Be There” Certificate training to support others
- Serve – Fundraising walks or volunteer opportunities
- Advocate – Share the cause on socials or get active with IDONTMIND or NAMI
- Support – Spread the word about free mental health screening
Recorded Mental Health Webinars
Click to listen on demand.
- Handling Financial Stress
- Resiliency - Part 2
- Resiliency - Part 1
- Managing Strong Emotions
- Shedding Light on ADHD and Mental Health: an honest conversation between Seattle IT employees Brittany Flores and Jennifer Dawson Miller. The recording focuses on lived experiences as a BIPOC woman with a neurodiverse diagnosis.
- Women and Depression
- Riding the Change Wave
- Embracing Happiness
- Self-Care in the Face of Adversity
- Deeply Rooted: Resilience for BIPOC Individuals
- The Great Reckoning: Exploring Wholeness as a White Person
- Stress Reduction Tool Bag
- Coming Together for Minority Mental Health
- BIPOC Panel Discussion: Mental Well-Being
- Men and Depression
- Well-Being in the LGBTQIA Community
- Fear and Anxiety: Moving Forward
- Resilience and Resistance Part 2
- Mental Health: Conquering Burnout
- Increasing Mental Toughness
- Health Care in the Black Community
- Moving out of the Cave Syndrome
- Changing How We Think About Mental Health at Work
- Balancing Mental Health at Work and Beyond
- Resilience and Resistance
- Navigating Mental Health Care
Employee Assistance Program
EAP Enhancements: The City's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) was extended to offer services to ALL employees. Effective 1/1/2022, temporary employees and their household members have access to support for mental health concerns or personal issues. To increase access to more mental health providers, the City added TalkSpace counseling services to the EAP benefit. TalkSpace is an online therapy platform that makes it easy to connect with a mental health provider anywhere, anytime by text, chat, or video call.
Mental Health Hub
Aetna
- Behavioral Health Televideo Services
- Aetna AbleTo Program by video or phone
- Aetna Mental Health Awareness Guide for Parents
- Teladoc Mental Health Services (Most Preventive)
- Teladoc Mental Health Services (Most Traditional)
Aetna Mental Health Resources Flyers
Preventive Plans
Traditional Plans
Kaiser Permanente
Reach Well-Being Program*
Activities to support emotional well-being are available on the Reach Well-being platform*. Whether it is COVID variants, burnout symptoms, childcare stressors, family difficulties, or the ongoing social justice fight, life's events can take a toll on us all. Take some time to expand your mental health knowledge and pursue topics and concepts that support your goals.
* Available for City employees on the Most benefits program
Accolade Advocacy Services - Mental Health Support*
Health Assistants can be a helpful resource in finding in-network mental health care and connect you to an Accolade nurse.
- Member Experience Story - Alcohol Abuse
- Member Experience Story - Couples Counseling
- Member Experience Story - Depression and Anxiety
To connect with an Accolade Health Assistant:
- Call 1 (866) 540-5418 Monday thru Friday, 5:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Visit the online portal at member.accolade.com to send a secure message, or
- Download the Accolade mobile app to connect with a Health Assistant.
* Available for City employees on the Most benefits program
Other Community-Based Resources
Flyers and Fact Sheets
- Accepting Reality Mental Health America
- Adapting After Trauma Mental Health America
- Dealing With Anger and Frustration Mental Health America
- Getting out of Thinking Traps Mental Health America
- Processing Big Changes Mental Health America
- My Mental Health: Do I Need Help? National Institute of Mental Health
- Work and Your Mental Health National Alliance on Mental Illness
Mental Health Organization Links
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- American Psychological Association
- Mental Health American
- National Alliance on Mental
- Mental Health Resources for LGBTQIA+
- Washington Treatment Centers or Rehabilitation for Substance Use Disorders
- Mental Health Coalition (Resources for BIPOC)
- ASHA International
- King County Community Support and Well-being
BIPOC Mental Health Resources
- BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month Resources- Mental Health America (MHA)
- BIPOC Mental Health Resources – Mental Health Coalition
- Mental Health America (MHA) – Downloadable “Beyond the Numbers” Minority Mental Health Month graphics
- Clinicians of Color – to find a therapist of color near you
- Asian Mental Health Collective
- BEAM– Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective
- Racial Trauma – Mental Health America (MHA) Overview and Resources
- Sharing Hope (3-part video series)
- Compartiendo Esperanza (3-part video series)