Federal Way, Washington Therapists

An Overview of Mental Health in Federal Way, Washington

Federal Way, Washington, enjoys a beautiful location on the coast of Puget Sound. It is part of King County and the Seattle metropolitan area. The 2015 United States Census set the population of Federal Way at 95,171. The median household income for the city is $58,855, roughly equal to the average for the United States as a whole, though approximately 13.5 percent of the population lives at or below the federal poverty line. The average temperatures are cooler than the average for the United States as a whole; however, days can be very humid, and the area sees fewer days of sunshine each year.

The diversity of King County and Federal Way specifically is important to note.

• The percentage of people of color in the population is 28.7 percent, higher than the national average of 22.1 percent. Particularly, the percentage of those in Federal Way who classify themselves as Black or Hispanic is higher than the state average.
• The percentage of foreign-born residents is 20.3 percent, while the average for the United States as a whole is 12.9 percent.
• More than one language is spoken in 25.4 percent of the homes in Federal Way.

In terms of the mental health of the residents of Federal Way, the indicators show that the citizens of this city don’t fare as well as their counterparts in other cities. The King County City Health Profile Federal Way updated in March 2016 found these facts:

• Federal Way has a higher rate of residents who report frequent mental distress than the county or the state.
• Federal Way also has a higher rate of residents who report regularly having poor mental health days.
• Suicide in Federal Way is one of the top ten causes of death.
• The crime rate in Federal Way, one of the indicators of a community’s mental health needs, is higher than the national average at 477.6 compared to 454.3.

Mental Health Services Available in Federal Way, Washington

The King County Mental Health Plan as published by the University of Washington describes a comprehensive array of mental health services including crisis service, residential treatment, inpatient, and outpatient.

• Crisis services include a toll-free hotline, on-call workers, and a triage unit outside the hospital setting. Professionals perform a complete assessment to stabilize the client and then make appropriate referrals for services, including hospitalization when necessary.
• Residential treatment facilities help those dealing with a mental health condition the opportunity to develop the skills to one day live independently. These locations are staffed around the clock with professionals who help clients learn to take medications on schedule, prepare meals for themselves, and interact with others appropriately in social situations.
• Inpatient services differ from residential in that they are generally short-term stays of no more than 10 days. The goal is to stabilize those experiencing a temporary mental health crisis. Inpatient facilities serve both children and adults.
• Outpatient services are designed for those who can function on a day-to-day basis in the community with the help of supportive in-home skills building. Outpatient assistance generally lasts from six months to one year, but it can be extended if a demonstrated need still exists. Some typical components are case management, medication management, family counseling, and individual therapy.

Of course, all of these services are in addition to those available through providers in private practice.

Divorce and the Need for Mental Health Services

The dissolving of marriage and splitting up of a family are difficult circumstances to navigate, especially if children are involved. Approximately 13 percent of the residents of Federal Way report their marital status as divorced. When faced with such life-changing circumstances, many people seek out mental health services for the first time in their lives.