Seattle Mayor Unveils $10 Million Youth Mental Health and Safety Investment Strategy

SEATTLE - Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a new investment strategy Friday aimed at youth mental health and safety.

In his investment strategy, Harrell wants to give families and students easy access to care and support for their overall well-being. The president's office said the investment strategy is accompanied by an executive order to "address gun violence and improve youth safety."

Harrell proposed an appropriation of up to $10 million for the start of the 2024-2025 school year to begin needed resources for mental health and school safety. This appropriation will include $2.4 million for telehealth services, and the executive order includes an investment of $2 million "for violence prevention, intervention and cessation and other steps to promote short- and long-term safety."

The announcement comes about a week after a student at Garfield High School was fatally shot in the school's parking lot.

"Last week's tragedy in Garfield and the trauma it has caused in our community further reinforces the need to protect and support our students and the most vulnerable – this is a comprehensive community-informed and data-driven strategy that will a difference when combined with community-based, upstream and law enforcement programs,” Harrell said.

According to the statement, the City's Innovation and Performance team conducted interviews and focus groups over the past six months to help guide the focus of new mental health investments. They compiled a report that is based on evidence to provide recommendations to stakeholders.

“Our team spoke with partners across the school mental health ecosystem to understand where the city's investments can have the greatest impact for students. Importantly, we heard directly from over 150 students about the real challenges they are facing and what they need to feel safe and support their mental health," said Leah Tivoli, Seattle's Director of Innovation and Performance .

According to the mayor's office, the investment strategy will go into effect this summer, starting with the new school year in the fall. Further investments will increase in 2025.

The expansion of telehealth therapy services would increase access from 80 students to over 2,000.

"The youth mental health crisis affects each and every one of us, and as a pediatrician, I believe it is critical that we do all we can to help support the children in our community who rely on us," said Dr. Shaquita Bell, Senior Medical Director, The Odessa Brown Children's Clinic, Seattle Children's Hospital. "With its focus on prevention, early intervention and treatment, I am encouraged by Mayor Harrell's plan and his commitment to provide funding so that every child has a better chance of getting the support they need to live their lives as healthily as possible."

Bennie Radford worked as a school resource officer (RSO) at Garfield High School before Seattle Public Schools ended the program in 2020.

"I will say that now they need to sit down and redevelop the relationship," Radford told KOMO News.

Radford, who is now doing the same SRO job in Florida, told KOMO News that every school should have resource officers, or something similar.

"It's time for us to stop saying we don't want police in our building, or we don't want this," he said. "We have to start thinking about the lives of the children here."

Mayor Harrell's executive order does not call for officers to return to schools, but includes both law enforcement and Seattle Public Schools, along with King County, Community-Based Violence Interrupters and other stakeholders. working together to develop and implement a "100 Days of Action". campaign for the prevention of violence.

Last year the city launched its Reach Out Seattle initiative, with the goal of bringing stakeholders together to increase understanding and use of mental health resources. The program is committed to researching the stigma students face when seeking help. They want to bridge the gap between young people and the services available to them.