Nearly 100 people gathered together at the Behavioral Health Institute at Harborview Medical Center’s community celebration event, “Our First Year.” It was a chance for the community to meet and hear from Jim Vollendroff, MPA, the new Director of the BHI, and to learn about past progress and upcoming plans. Merril Berger, PhD, and Maria Monroe-DeVita, PhD, presented on the Specialized Treatment for Early Psychosis (STEP) Program with a mission is to provide the best, research-based treatment to individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis. The STEP team works to “care for the whole person,” not just the symptoms of psychosis. In addition to an experienced psychiatrist, the team includes psychotherapists, employment specialists, a patient and family education specialist, peers and other experts as needed. Programming formally launched in Winter, 2019 and the program is growing as Dr. Berger continuously reviews prospective clients. Other speakers at the Event included Todd and Laura Crooks from Chad’s Legacy Project who talked about a renewed sense of hope for individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis, and Sergeant Daniel Nelson, Crisis Intervention Coordinator for the Seattle Police Department who described the need for alternatives to jails and emergency rooms for people experiencing a mental health crisis. The Institute will continue to raise funds and work toward improving care for early psychosis, strengthening crisis intervention and expanding telepsychiatry consultation services.

Congratulations to BHI Steering Committee members Carolyn Brenner, MD; Brigitte Folz, LICSW; Paul Hayes, RN; Mark Snowden, MD, MPH; Jürgen Unützer, MD, MPH, MA and Jim Vollendroff, MPA, BHI Director, for a fantastic event and a promising first year.