Compass Health, NW Washington’s Behavioral Healthcare Leader, has partnered with C89.5 to help produce a series of student-led podcasts that destigmatize mental health from a teen’s perspective, while highlighting pathways to access care for those in need.
“Very often our youth have experienced some sort of very large schism, either in the family or in the family’s stability. There are often expectations that kids cannot meet, or kids who are basically left behind by their families. The best thing a therapist can do is provide validation, and delight in a human’s presence. Find something that they just love about that person. Being able to find that and really mirror that to somebody can be super-duper healing. I think we’ve been able to accomplish that.”
Tanya Keenan is a clinician and Behavioral Healthcare Specialist at Compass Health, working with teens that are experiencing housing instability across Snohomish County. Her work takes place at Cocoon House, one of Compass Health’s partners, working with young people, families, and their communities, to break the cycle of homelessness. Led by 18-yr-old host Gavin M., we explore the link between behavioral and housing stability in teens, and how communities can work together to address the crisis where it first begins to emerge.
“Many of the beliefs we form as children [about the world and ourSELVEs] we carry on into our adulthood, and they manifest in different ways, and they can really influence where we’re gonna end up… The earlier we can help our kids gain an emotional IQ, the better off we will ALL be.”
In this episode we’re joined by Sondra Vasquez, the Program Manager for Compass Health’s Child and Family Clinic in Smokey Point, Washington. With over more than a decade as a therapist and clinical social worker, Sondra’s on a mission to deliver better behavioral healthcare services to youth and their families, fostering better mental health in our communities.
Have you ever stopped to consider all the ways you’re connected with your neighbors and your community? Many of us are affected in ways we aren’t even aware of because of the dynamic and complex nature of how our lives are interconnected with one another. Whether we realize it or not, when our neighbors receive care, when a family member starts therapy, when someone living on our streets has a safe place to go – our lives are improved, even if we aren’t a direct recipient of care. In this episode we’re joined by Tom Kozaczynski, Chief Advancement Officer for Compass Health to focus on what it looks like to develop and literally build behavioral health care structures in communities of need. From treating behavioral health issues, to addressing homelessness, chronic mental illness and substance use disorders, we discuss the ripples that happen in communities when health needs are met in accessible ways – and what we can do to continue to build a healthier future.
Loss comes in many forms, and no two people will process grief in the same way. Inevitably we will all face loss, including the death of a friend or loved one, and while healing may not be entirely possible for everyone we can learn to live differently and adapt. In this episode, Nathan Hale High School sophomore Emanuel sits down with Amy Pereira Clevenger, Compass Health’s Director of Crisis Response and Stabilization. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Amy has dealt with all kinds of crisis and loss – including her own – and here she shares actionable steps we can all take on the path toward healing.
In 2019, about 1 in 5 people were suffering from some kind of mental health or substance use issue, and since then the pandemic has impacted ALL communities and the need for help has surged. Increasing access to care is now perhaps the most critical step in reversing America’s mental health crisis. On a mission to break down barriers as the Chief Medical Officer of Compass Health, Katie Gilligan’s unconventional art school background instilled in her a naturally curious and open minded approach to her ambitious work in the behavioral healthcare field.
One of the primary factors contributing to today’s mental health crisis – especially impacting traditionally marginalized communities – is limited access to care. On a mission to bring much needed counseling services to the people, Ryan O’Donnell is the Director of Skagit, Island, & San Juan County Outpatient Services for Compass Health. In this episode, Ryan shares what led her to working in the field, today’s array of career options – some requiring no more than a high school diploma – and how to get started. For anyone who’s ever wondered what it would be like to work in mental health, listen and learn how YOU can be a part of solving the crisis while helping yourself and others along the way.
No matter where they live, Queer Youth deserve safe spaces, supportive resources and affirming care to advance into adulthood with health, opportunity and equity. In this special Pride-month episode, we’re joined by Shannon Webb from Compass Health as we focus on behavioral health services for LGBTQ+ Youth in rural and suburban communities, where access to these services has been traditionally limited – if not entirely absent. Stream the episode below, and find related resources here: https://www.c895.org/
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