Washington State Department of Commerce announces $7.1m in grants for behavioral health care

Prior to the beginning of legislative session, WSHA identified several budget priorities to advocate for funding, especially regarding behavioral health care. These priorities included improving the mental health system through allowing expansion for new psychiatric beds and alternatives to Eastern and Western State Hospitals by allowing community hospitals to provide long-term psychiatric care. We are pleased to learn that the Washington State Department of Commerce has awarded $7.1 million in grants to support adding beds to facilities that treat people with behavioral health issues. About half of the funded beds are intended to serve as an alternative to people with behavioral health issues receiving treatment in state psychiatric hospitals.