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Crisis Connections & 2-1-1

Staff In Busy Call Center

Program Updates

At Crisis Connections, we play a critical role in the mental and behavioral well being
of Washingtonians. By maintaining a database with over 6,000 unique programs
and 1,600 agencies we are able to connect people to vital resources in their
communities. Additionally, King County 2-1-1, 24-hour crisis line and Washington
Recovery helplines are available 7 days a week for people before, during, or after a
crisis. Throughout COVID-19, our services will remain essential as the needs of the
community evolve.

Since the state ordered stay healthy, stay at home mandate, we a spike in calls on
our 2-1-1 lines that correlated with Governor Inslee’s restriction mandates, today, calls
have increased 73% from 20,000 to over 35,000 calls a month.

Going into the fifth month of Isolation people are experiencing suicidal thoughts
and turning to substance use. Staff and volunteers report that callers are relapsing
on drugs & alcohol; domestic violence cases have increased; and we are receiving
more calls around severe depression and anxiety. Crisis Connections is committed
to answering the needs of the community, and we have increased our ability to
respond to a crisis.

Program Updates

Continued Support
The second round of Covid-19 funding through The Seattle Foundation is assisting us
in meeting the needs of vulnerable communities and families so that we can answer
the phone with reduced wait times.

When it is clear a caller prefers another language, we immediately connect with
their preferred language via our interpreter
services agency, United Language Group.

State-wide call line:
Recently, the Washington State Healthcare Authority announced Washington
Listens, a support program for everyone in Washington affected by the outbreak of
Covid-19. All services are anonymous and free! If you or a loved one needs someone
to talk to you can contact Washington Listens through the support line at
1.833.681.0211.

Additionally, Crisis Connections’ King County Crisis Line services have extended to 8
additional counties in the state of Washington in January of 2020. ( Pierce, Clark,
Skamania, Klickitat, Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan). By partnering to launch
Washington Listens, we are available to all Washingtonians: 1.866.4CRISIS.

Increased Trainings
We are offering continued education and community trainings. Beginning in June
we have started hosting virtual trainings. You can sign up for our newsletter to keep
up with newly scheduled classes.
Since 1954, we’ve served as a true safety net for all residents of king county, and
through our unique partnerships and funders, we continue to expand our reach
across the state. It is our honor to be an essential service for the community and
partner on large scale initiatives.

We want you to know that all is not lost, there is hope and we are only a phone call
away in moments of despair.
____________
Washington Listens: 1.833.681.0211
24-Hr Crisis Line: 1.866.427.4747
Washington Recovery Helpline: 1.866.833.6546
King County 2-1-1: 1.800.621.4636
Teen Link: 1.866.833-6546
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.8255