Mental Health Month webinar: A Conversation on Self-Care, May 14
According to Psych Central, “self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Although it’s a simple concept in theory, it’s something we very often overlook. Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. It’s also key to a good relationship with oneself and others.”
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone’s mental health in unique ways. Now, more than ever, self-care and connection are needed. In recognition of Mental Health Month, join Shawna Johnson, Balanced You Employee Health Specialist, and Heather Steffensen, Interim Employee Assistance Program Manager, for A Conversation on Self-Care. This live, interactive webinar will cover self-care strategies, techniques and tools to reduce stress and anxiety, and benefits and resources available to support King County employees’ mental health.
- Thursday, May 14, 2020 from 9-10 a.m., register here.
For questions or more information contact Balanced You at BalancedYou@kingcounty.gov.
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King County mental health resources during COVID-19
King County is sending a mailing to all employees’ homes next week that highlights the mental health benefits and resources available to employees and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Highlighted services include how to access mental health counseling remotely via telehealth, how to get support via the Employee Assistance Program and Making Life Easier, and Balanced You and community programs and resources that support mental health.
Please look for the mailer at home next week, and remember you can always get mental health resources information online via the Mental Health Resource Guide, the Balanced You website, and the King County Benefits website.
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Tips for staying safe outdoors as more recreation lands reopen
King County Parks is reopening parks and trails on May 8 following a six-week closure in support of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order to help flatten the curve of COVID-19 transmissions through the state.
Outdoor recreation is a great idea but we absolutely need to continue to take precautions to prevent bringing COVID-19 back home with us. Everyone must practice safe distancing and good hand hygiene whether indoors or out because lives depend on it,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Where parks and trails are experiencing overcrowding and where safe distancing is not occurring, we will need to recommend re-closing those facilities to prevent the spread of infection.”
As part of reopening more than 28,000 acres of parks and open space, 175 miles of regional trails and 215 miles of backcountry trails, King County is offering tips for staying healthy while enjoying the outdoors:
Read more in the official press release.
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Executive recognizes Public Health Director Patty Hayes for receiving top award for University of Washington alumni
King County Executive Dow Constantine lauded Public Health — Seattle & King County Director Patty Hayes for receiving the prestigious University of Washington Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus Award. The award is presented annually by the UW and the UW Alumni Association and is the highest honor the University bestows on a UW graduate.
Educated as a nurse, with both a baccalaureate degree and master’s degrees from the University of Washington School of Nursing, Hayes leads one of the largest and most respected metropolitan health departments in the country, which is currently at the forefront of the nation’s COVID-19 response.
“Patty’s leadership in responding to this historic crisis is the culmination of a career dedicated to caring for and lifting up our entire community, especially those facing the greatest health challenges,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Patty is an outstanding University of Washington alumnus and public servant, and at this pivotal time there could not be a more deserving recipient of this award.”
Read more in the official press release.
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Phone donation gives instant access to mental health support in isolation/quarantine
Crosposed from Cultivating Connections
When King County opened its first isolation/quarantine site this March in Kent as part of its emergency response to the COVID-19 crisis, the need to support guests’ mental health in addition to their physical health was immediately revealed as a top priority.
“It would be challenging for anyone to isolate or quarantine in a hotel room for up to 14 days, and this challenge is exacerbated when you have this terrible virus,” said Isabel Jones, Deputy Division Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Division, Community and Human Services. “As part of our response we wanted to be able to connect guests with their existing support services and networks immediately, including family, friends, and if they already had a counselor or clinician,” she said.
The barrier to connecting guests to their natural support systems and also provide onsite telehealth access was that many guests don’t have their own cell phone or may not have time to go get their cell phone before they come to isolation and quarantine.
A swift act of generosity from the corporate community made providing this critical care possible, even to isolation and quarantine’s earliest patients.
Read more from Cultivating Connections
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Metro adds trips and seat signs; No fares through May 31
Crossposted from Metro Matters
As King County Metro continues to provide service for essential trips only, we remain committed to making transit as safe and reliable as possible.
Realizing that Metro’s reduced schedule and passenger limits have made commuting more challenging for some essential workers, we recently reduced the minimum number of riders for our Vanpool program to two people. Also, for customers with disabilities who are essential workers or are making essential trips, we’ve expanded eligibility for our Metro Access program.
Read more from Metro Matters
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King County Parks to re-open parks and trails on May 8: ‘Recreate Responsibly!’
King County Parks announced today that on May 8 it will re-open its parks and trails, including regional and backcountry trails, with some restrictions. The county cautions, however, that keeping parks and trails open will depend on visitors practicing safe distancing and following public health guidelines.
Parking lots and trailheads will be open, as well as fields, docks and boat launches, and the off-leash dog area at Marymoor Park. Visitors are asked to “Keep it Moving!” and refrain from gathering or playing team sports or pick-up games on the fields. King County Parks’ decision follows the Governor’s recent announcement about the May 5 re-opening of state recreation lands.
Read more in the official press release.
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Mental Health Month week one: Owning your feelings
Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It also influences how we cope with stress, make healthy choices, and relate to others. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and, due to the stress brought on by COVID-19, this is a particularly important year to focus on this aspect of well-being.
Balanced You is here to support employees and their loved ones in taking care of their mental health. During the month of May, Balanced You will focus communications on mental health tips and resources.
For the first week of Mental Health Month, Balanced You is focusing on the topic “owning your feelings.” Owning your feelings means naming and accepting them. Are you experiencing stress, sadness, grief, joy, worry, or anger? These feelings, and any others, are valid. Allowing yourself to name and experience your feelings, rather than ignore and push them down, will allow you to better cope and maintain resiliency during difficult and uncertain times. Check out the Balanced You blog for a tool that will guide you in owning your feelings, as well as information on other King County mental health resources.
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Featured job: Nurse Supervisor for COVID-19 Response – Strike Teams and Recovery Centers (PHSS)
Salary: $46.16 – $59.96 Hourly
Location: Multiple locations in King County, WA
Job Type: Short Term Temporary, Part Time, Std Wkly Hrs Vary
Department: DPH – Public Health
Job Number: 2020NH11609
Division: Community Health Services
Closing: Continuous
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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Supporting you this Mental Health Month
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
Employee News 