Needing to burn off stress? Movement helps
Stress has a way of building up in our bodies and minds. If you’ve been feeling tense or weighed down, moving your body can be one of the fastest ways to release it. Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce stress, ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, and boost energy and focus.
Balanced You and King County make it easier to fit movement into your day with resources designed to support you. Read more.
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Breaking the cycle: Connecting people to mental health care after hospitalization
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections
For too long, communities across King County have faced barriers to getting the behavioral health care they need to support their long-term recovery. At the Department of Community & Human Services (DCHS), we are breaking the cycle through our commitment to following through, connecting people to routine mental health care and recovery supports after they are discharged from treatment in hospitals, inpatient programs, or Crisis Care Centers.
New data shows efforts to connect clients of King County’s behavioral health services to outpatient care after a hospitalization are working and setting a national standard for follow-up care. Read more.
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SeattleFWC26, Governor, Executive, Mayor and transportation partners share ‘Know Before You Go’ info ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026™
Crossposted from Metro Matters
With 33 days until Seattle’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ match kicks off in Seattle, SeattleFWC26 and First & Goal, Inc. were joined by Governor Bob Ferguson, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson, Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine, and leaders from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), King County Metro, Port of Seattle, and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) for a regional “Know Before You Go” event to preview matchday transportation plans.
Seattle Stadium will host six FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches on June 15, June 19, June 24, June 26, July 1 and July 6. Four official Seattle Fan Celebration sites have been announced at Pacific Place, Seattle Center, Victory Hall, and Waterfront Park. Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to visit the region to attend matches, as well as visit the Seattle Fan Celebrations and countless unofficial events throughout the region.
The message to fans is simple: plan ahead and take transit. On match days, downtown Seattle will be one of the most transit-rich environments in the city’s history, and Seattle Stadium will be easiest to reach by light rail, bus, foot, bike, and water. With one of the most walkable and transit-accessible stadiums across the tournament, 80% of fans are expected to arrive at Seattle Stadium without a personal vehicle. Read more.
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New intranet page helps employees navigate World Cup impacts
It’s almost time for Seattle to host six FIFA World Cup 2026 matches! They will be held at Lumen Field (referred to as Seattle Stadium) between June 15 and July 6. During that time, you should expect substantial impacts to your commute on game days and during World Cup-related community festivities. On game days, there will be street closures and increased pedestrian traffic around King Street Center and other buildings in the downtown campus.
King County has launched a tool to help employees navigate closures and delays related to the World Cup in Seattle. It’s a new one-stop-shop intranet page with a comprehensive collection of links and information called FIFA World Cup 2026 – Employee Resources. The page includes:
- World Cup schedule in Seattle
- Information on work schedules for employees
- Seattle road closures and restrictions map
- King County employee parking
- County vehicle and motor pool parking
- Transportation resources
- King Street Center operational impacts
- Employee safety and security resources
Don’t forget to bookmark this link. You can also access the new page on the King County Employee Intranet homepage, the At the office – Employee Resources page, and the Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness homepage. If you have questions about this new tool, please reach out to kcemployees@kingcounty.gov.
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New exhibit highlights Filipinos’ lasting legacy on Washington’s waterfront
Crossposted from the Captain’s Blog
A powerful new traveling exhibit, “Filipinos and Washington’s Waterfront,” is currently showcased at King County Metro’s Water Taxi terminal at Pier 50 through the end of May.
“Filipinos and Washington’s Waterfront” uncovers personal stories that have long gone untold—stories of cannery workers, longshoremen, Navy sailors, faith leaders and families. This spring marked the debut of the exhibit which explores more than a century of Filipino history, labor and community along Washington’s saltwater shores.
Over the coming months, the physical exhibit is traveling to host sites around the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area. To experience it in person, visit these locations throughout 2026:
- May: King County Metro hosts at King County Water Taxi terminal (Pier 50), Seattle
- June – September: Visit Bellingham Whatcom County, exact hosting location to be announced
- June – August: Lopez Island Historical Society hosting at Port Stanley Schoolhouse, Lopez Island
Can’t make it in person? Check out the companion online exhibit, which includes all of the same stories plus tons of bonus content. Read more.
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Mental health resources for King County employees
As we begin Mental Health Month, Balanced You reminds King County employees of the many resources available to support you and your loved ones.
- Making Life Easier (MLE): Free crisis or short-term counseling, daily living support, and online tools for managing stress, available to employees and household members.
- Mindfulness classes and videos: Resources you can join from anywhere for a reset or a moment of calm.
- Mental Health First Aid: Training to help employees recognize when coworkers may need support and respond with confidence.
- Insurance-based mental health providers: Long-term counseling and psychiatric care available through your health plan.
- Movement resources: Activity Centers, exercise classes, and gym discounts to make stress-reducing movement more accessible.
For a comprehensive list of King County’s mental health resources for employees, visit the Mental Health Access Guide.
Questions? Contact BalancedYou@KingCounty.gov
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What’s the risk of hantavirus in King County?
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
The outbreak of hantavirus on an international cruise ship has put this rare disease in the headlines. WHO is leading the investigation of that situation involving a specific type of hantavirus that has not been found in the United States. We wanted to learn more about whether hantavirus poses a risk to people in King County, so we checked in with Dr. Jocelyn Mullins, a public health veterinarian and resident expert at Public Health – Seattle & King County on diseases coming from animals.
Dr. Mullins, what is hantavirus and how people can get it?
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly disease that affects the lungs. It primarily spreads from contact with wild rodents, especially when people are exposed to their urine, droppings, and saliva. It can also spread through a scratch or a bite by a wild rodent, but that’s even more rare. Read more.
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10 years of repair: Solid Waste Division celebrates 100 community repair events across King County, providing free repair services to keep household items out of the landfill
Darren Moffatt has always loved tinkering. Although it’s not his day job, several times a year you’ll find him volunteering as a “fixer” at King County-sponsored repair events. He can be spotted working a screwdriver, applying glue, or even rewiring electronics. “Repair events help keep items out of the landfill by giving them new life instead of throwing them away.” Darren says. “But repair events also have invaluable community impact. At one event, a woman brought me a broken hair clip that seemed simple to me. A piece had fallen off and when I fixed it, she was really emotional – she shared that it was an heirloom and had been in her family for generations. I realized how much more these events mean for people than just waste prevention.”
Every year, the Solid Waste Division hosts a series of community repair events throughout King County, where volunteers like Darren help people repair personal and household items at no cost.
This year marks a major milestone: After 10 years, the repair program hosted its 100th event on May 9 at the West Hill Community Center in Skyway. Read more.
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King County Human and Civil Rights Commission releases inaugural annual report
The Human and Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) released its inaugural 2025-2026 annual report, highlighting ongoing efforts to achieve King County’s equity goals and ensure all residents are treated fairly and justly.
“King County is committed to being an inclusive, welcoming place for all people – regardless of their race, religion, gender, or ability,” said Executive Girmay Zahilay. “At a time when our federal government is attacking civil rights, HCRC is working to ensure we are advancing equity, fairness, and justice in King County and uplifting the voices of communities who have not historically had a seat at the table in decision-making processes. Read more.
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Mental Health Month: Caring for ourselves in a time of change
As we recognize Mental Health Month, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the importance of well-being in our lives and in our work.
Mental health is a shared human experience. Many of us are balancing responsibilities at home, at work, and in our communities while navigating stress, uncertainty, and change. That reality is part of what makes this work, and our commitment to one another, so important.
Every day, across King County, you show up to serve our residents and communities. Whether you are supporting someone in crisis, helping a family access service, maintaining critical infrastructure, or keeping our operations running, your work matters. Our investments in behavioral and mental health services, including Crisis Care Centers, school-based health programs, and MIDD-funded services, reflect our commitment to building a region where people can live healthy, stable lives. That commitment also includes efforts like our immigration executive order and the Welcoming Community Subcabinet, which help ensure that communities experiencing heightened stress and uncertainty due to federal actions are, and feel, supported, safe, and connected here in King County.
That commitment extends to you. Read more.
Employee News 