Community Members Speak Directly with Elected Officials on Behavioral Health

Guest Post by Amanda Flatley

23rd Annual Behavioral Health Legislative Forum

This November marks the 23^rd annual Behavioral Health and Recovery Legislative Forum. This annual event is an opportunity for community members to speak directly with local, state and federal elected officials on issues related to behavioral health, learn more about what King County and the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRd) is doing to improve behavioral health services, and celebrate the thousands of people in our communities who are in recovery or on a journey toward it. 

Share what matters to you

The forum begins with a public reception and dedicated time for constituents to meet informally with state legislators, county council members, and legislative staff. It’s a chance to sit down directly with your legislator and share what matters most to you, your family, and your community when it comes to mental health and substance use.

Learn what we’re working on this year

Every year, King County partners with our elected officials to improve our service systems and tackle our challenges together. As part of the forum, we’ll announce King County’s legislative priorities in behavioral health. These are the things we’ll be working on with our state and federal elected officials. 

Help fight stigma about mental health and substance use

Sharing with your friends, family, and community how substance use and mental health impact your life or your loved ones puts a face to an issue that is too often stereotyped or misunderstood. These conversations save lives. When we change how individuals, communities, and systems see and treat people with substance use or mental health conditions, we make it easier to find help and maintain hope that recovery is possible.

Did we mention you can sit down with your legislator?

This one is worth repeating: Almost 20 elected officials and their staff plan to attend, and they really want to hear from you.  . Click here to see the list of elected officials who plan to attend.

Celebrate people in recovery

We celebrate birthdays, we celebrate anniversaries, we even celebrate made-up social media #holidays. On November 8, it’s time to celebrate the thousands of people in our communities who are in recovery or on a journey toward it. For those who can arrive early, a fun and interactive Recovery in Action event will begin at 4:30pm before the forum.

Join us on Monday, November 18, 2019, from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, 301 Mercer St, Seattle.

To add the forum to your calendar, click “Add to Calendar” on the forum’s Eventbrite Page or RSVP on Facebook.  The event is free and open to all.  We can’t wait to see you there!

If you have questions or  would like to volunteer at the Behavioral Health and Recovery Legislative Forum, email Amanda Flatley at aflatley@kingcounty.gov