Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer, King County Executive Office

Dear King County employee,

May is Mental Health Month, an opportunity for us to not only learn more about how we can help those affected by mental illness, but also strengthen our own mental health and resilience.

The coronavirus pandemic has changed our everyday lives – at home, at work, and in the community. It’s brought new fears and anxieties, and interrupted many of the things we love. But it has also a brought new opportunities to strengthen our personal connections, to look at how we can help our community through this challenging time, and to take time to reflect on our own health and self-care.

As we have experienced these sudden changes that are evolving into a new way of living, it is important to pause, and take some time to tend to our emotional well-being. Mental health is an integral part of overall health and well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. So it is important that we use Mental Health Month to learn about mental health and the resources available to us and the people we care about.

Throughout the month we will share information, resources, and stories with you about mental health during this stressful time. Some highlights include:

• A letter to your home detailing the many resources King County makes available to support your mental health.
• Weekly themes in emails and toolkits that highlight skills and practices that are helpful especially now:

– Own your feelings

– Creating healthy routines

– Connecting during social isolation

– Supporting each other

• Webinars
• Posters and handouts at sites where employees are working.

Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or your loved ones, there are many tools, programs, and resources available. You can find a comprehensive list of resources in this guide, and please look for special information coming out throughout this month on the Balanced You webpage, Employee News, and common areas at worksites.

I am proud of the care for one another that I see across our workforce each day, and am especially grateful for this during this extraordinarily challenging time. So many of you are making sacrifices to help our community overcome this virus and recover stronger and more resilient. Let us honor ourselves, our colleagues, our families, and friends by acknowledging our emotional and mental health and safety, as well. Thank you for supporting one another and the people we serve.

All my best,

Whitney Abrams

Chief People Officer