King County released this week a new online survey about behavioral health, which includes both mental health and substance use care. Survey responses will inform upcoming King County planning for behavioral health system improvements. The survey seeks to solicits a wide range of community voices and bring their experiences, concerns and desires into our visioning and planning process.
The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and is available in 21 languages.
Click the links below to take the survey in your preferred language:
Why now?
King County, and counties across the country, are facing behavioral health challenges including growing need for mental health and substance use care, a workforce shortage, and an overdose crisis, impacting residents all across the county, especially children and youth.
The MIDD behavioral health sales tax is a 0.1% sales tax that generates approximately $80 million each year. The King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD) has administered the fund since 2008 to benefit people in King County living with or at risk of behavioral health conditions.
The MIDD makes up about 20% of the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division’s budget. Along with the new Crisis Care Centers Initiative, the MIDD is a key resource in supporting the broader behavioral health system to build toward behavioral health system of the future.
The MIDD was first enacted in 2007 and was renewed for a second 9-year cycle by the King County Council in 2016. In the decade since, the behavioral health landscape has changed significantly. As the Council considers renewal of the MIDD for the third time in 2025, a unique opportunity exists to harness these significant local funds and re-envision what we are investing in to evolve a system that is better than what exists today.
To responsibly steward this uncommon local resource, DCHS is committed to a robust renewal process to focus MIDD’s next iteration on today’s highest priorities and maximize MIDD’s impact in building a behavioral health system that meets King County residents’ greatest needs.
DCHS is seeking community input early in the renewal process from community members for their insights. We are actively seeking input from behavioral health providers, people with lived experiences, and other members of the widespread public.
Community Engagement is Underway Now
The earliest phase of the MIDD renewal process is underway now, starting by listening and learning from community voices. Community engagement began in July with virtual listening sessions to inform a vision for a modernized behavioral health system that meets the needs of everyone in our community.
Over the coming months, beginning now by gathering public feedback, the MIDD renewal team will explore ways to invest for greatest impact that prioritize care that works for people—what, where and how they need it.
You can help us by taking the survey now and by sharing this blog, the direct link to the survey, or the flyers below with your networks.
Would you help us promote the survey?
Help us include more voices by sharing the survey! Download flyers below and help promote the survey to your networks:
PDFs (best for printing):
PNGs (best for social media):
Would you like printed flyers? We will deliver!
If your organization would like us to bring printed flyers to your location for you to distribute, please contact Natalia Chacon, MIDD Renewal Community Engagement Liaison, at nchacon@kingcounty.gov.
Social Media Blurbs in 21 Languages
Social media blurbs are also available for download in 21 languages. You can adapt and share on your channels to help get to survey to more people:
Thank you for taking the survey and for sharing with your networks. Please contact Natalia Chacon with any questions or for more information.