Announcements

The National Institutes of Health invites high school students, 16 to 18 years old, to participate in its "Speaking Up About Mental Health" essay contest.

This contest gives teens the opportunity to make their voices heard and explore ways to reduce mental health stigma. Visit the contest page to view a list of possible essay topics and learn more.

Submissions are due on Tuesday, January 16! Prizes will be awarded to up to 20 winners from a pool of $15,000

Join staff from Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (NW HIDTA) for the 2024 request for proposals (RFP) launch webinar on Thursday, January 11, 2024, from 1 to 2 p.m.

The webinar will be held on Microsoft Teams and can be accessed via the registration link posted in the event information. Pre-registration is not required.

Alicia Hughes, who has been on the Health Care Authority’s Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) prevention team for six years, left her position on Friday, January 5. Alicia has been an invaluable member of the Prevention Section here at DBHR. Her passion for promoting health equity, behavioral health prevention services, and mental health within the field has left an enduring mark on our team and this work. She has played an important role in shaping the development of grants,… read more

In October 2023, ESD 105 and Cascade Prevention Coalition, serving the Cle Elum/Roslyn community, organized a Take Back Day event at their local police department. National Drug Prescription Take Back Day, hosted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, is held twice a year and encourages the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes to prevent medication misuse. Communities across the nation participate in this effort, providing safe and convenient sites for people to dispose of… read more

Seattle Public Schools will receive approximately $1.75 million in proceeds from a federal lawsuit against Juul Labs, Altria, and other companies and individuals involved in the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of vaping products. 

The lawsuit was originally filed in November 2019 after a dramatic increase in youth vaping and youth nicotine addiction. Among other relief, SPS sought funding for programs for addiction education and treatment.

For additional details… read more

Reaching out InVolves Everyone (THRIVE) is Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board's (NPAIHB) suicide prevention project.

THRIVE works to reduce suicide rates among indigenous people living in the Northwest by providing culturally relevant mental health resources to increase knowledge and awareness about suicide and expand access to prevention and treatment services.

Visit NPAIHB's THRIVE page to learn more about the project and its activities, request a suicide… read more

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month is observed every December to educate the public about the risks of driving impaired and encourage drivers to make responsible choices on the road. Impaired driving is often discussed in relation to alcohol but includes operating a vehicle under the influence of any harmful substance, including cannabis, opioids, and other drugs.

Every day in America, there are about 800 injuries and 29 fatalities from alcohol impaired driving crashes… read more

As in past years, in early 2024, the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) will request Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative (CPWI) and community-based organization (CBO) contractors to review their expenditures to help ensure obligated funding is expended by upcoming state and federal fund source end dates. 

This review will provide the opportunity for unneeded funding to be identified and reallocated. Prevention managers will share more information in the… read more

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) launched a new health resource for teens and young adults on its website.

Teen Health Hub WA, or "the Hub," was created in partnership with Washington teens and young adults, including members of DOH’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC). The Hub features a curated online directory of youth-friendly information and resources on behavioral health, primary care, navigating the health care system, sexual and reproductive health, and teen dating… read more