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This month’s newsletter highlights emerging behavioral health topics affecting youth, young adults, and families across Washington. From the growing conversation around problem gambling to supporting young people in substance use recovery, we explore ways providers, families, and communities can recognize risks early and connect individuals to care.
You’ll also find upcoming trainings and events, recognition of school social workers and their impact on student well-being, and resources raising awareness for World Bipolar Day. Together, these stories reflect the many ways communities across the state are working to support health, recovery, and resilience.
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Gambling has changed in recent years, and more young people are being exposed to it. Young people are introduced to gambling through games that include gambling mechanics such as loot boxes, wheels, and other chance-based rewards. Sports betting apps widely advertised, and online platforms make it easier than ever to place a bet.
Research shows youth and young adults are more vulnerable to developing gambling problems than adults. About 4-8% of young people meet the criteria for gambling disorder, with another 10-14% considered at risk. Data from the Washington Healthy Youth Survey (2023) shows about 10% of tenth graders report gambling, a number that most experts expect to increase due to increasing exposure and availability of gambling online.
Gambling concerns often occur alongside other behavioral health challenges, and early identification is key to preventing more serious outcomes later in life. Among adults, studies show that 90% of individuals with gambling disorder also experience another mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety, or substance use. Gambling disorder is also associated with significant suicide risk, it carries the highest suicide rate of any addiction, with about 30% of adult individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts and roughly one in ten attempting suicide. These patterns highlight why early awareness and screening matter. By identifying gambling-related concerns early, providers can better understand a person’s overall behavioral health needs and connect them to timely, appropriate support helping reduce the risk of more severe impacts in adulthood.
Parents and caregivers are already having important conversations with young people about alcohol, substance use, and relationships. Gambling may be another topic worth adding to those discussions.
For behavioral health providers, adding a brief gambling screen during intake or assessment can help identify concerns early and connect individuals to support. Training and resources are available to help providers feel confident recognizing and responding to gambling-related issues.
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) conference
Join researchers, providers, and advocates from around the world at the 10th International Conference on Adolescents and Adults with FASD. Discover how research, policy, and practice are shaping better outcomes for individuals with FASD.
April 17-20, 2026 | Hyatt Regency, Seattle
Psychosis CARE conference
Join providers, educators, families, and people with lived experience for the free Psychosis CARE 2026 Virtual Conference, April 28–29, 2026. Learn about early identification, resources, and best practices for psychosis care in Washington State.
Family Initiated Treatment (FIT) training for parents and caregivers
Parents and caregivers can take Family Initiated Treatment (FIT) training to learn how to navigate the behavioral health system and support youth in accessing care. Build knowledge, confidence, and advocacy skills to help your family get the support it needs.
Supporting Youth & Young Adult Housing Stability Through Partnerships
Join a two-part training series with Rachel Baxter from the Health Care Authority to learn how cross-system partnerships can strengthen housing stability for youth and young adults. The sessions explore strategies, programs, and resources that help prevent homelessness and support successful transitions to stable housing.
Youth Wellness Summit
The Washington Behavioral Health Youth Network is hosting their annual Youth Wellness Summit on April 16, 2026. This event is a chance for youth peers, young people, and young adults aged 14-35 to learn more about wellness and how we can take care of ourselves.
This year’s Wellness Summit will offer space for:
- Connection across regions, roles, and lived experience
- Peer-led storytelling and shared learning
- Interactive wellness practices and hands-on activities
- Reflection, collaboration, and visioning for the future
Supporting Youth and Families in Grief
Join us March 31, 2026, from noon to 1 p.m. for Supporting Youth and Families in Grief. Learn practical tools to support children and families experiencing loss. Presented by Courtney Angeles, LICSW, and Lisa Duke, MSW. Ideal for providers, educators, and anyone supporting grieving youth and families.
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When a young person is willing to seek support for their substance use/addiction, feelings of relief can flood a family system. Families and caretakers often respond with urgency, knowing that this window of opportunity may close and getting connected to care is essential. However, there are many other factors to consider beyond timing. Just like any other health care service, not all programs provide the same quality of care. It is important as a consumer that you are informed of what a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) program will offer your young person and how you can stay informed throughout that process. If you think your loved one may benefit from more intensive services, being prepared with program information can be invaluable when the moment arrives. Here are a few tips to ease this process:
- Check with your insurance provider to see which treatment providers are in-network. Behavioral health treatment can be costly, and understanding your coverage ahead of time can help reduce financial barriers if ongoing care is needed.
- Once you have a list of in-network providers, utilize a list of questions to assess if they are an appropriate fit. A good reference for building your list is the Questions to Ask Treatment Programs Schedule a call to ensure you are getting the most accurate information. No question is too small.
- Consult with your young person. Once you’ve gathered information on potential programs, ask your loved one what they think about your findings. Having their buy-in on what they think will be most useful, supports treatment retention.
- Stay engaged. Once your young person is admitted to services, your role doesn’t have to end. You are able to request family consults and treatment updates, depending on if your child has consented to these disclosures (see ‘Age of Consent’ to learn more about Washington law). You can also seek services yourself. Enrolling in an education group or skills class can support your child’s recovery.
Navigating the SUD treatment world can be challenging, but you don’t have to have all the answers, just the willingness to ask the questions.
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Leaders from across the country gathered at the National Substance Use Disorder Summit 2026 to explore innovative policies and practices that support families impacted by substance use disorder (SUD). Sessions highlighted work happening in states and sovereign Tribal nations to strengthen recovery supports and promote safe family reunification whenever possible.
Participants also discussed opportunities to use Opioid Settlement Funding to help finance programs and services that support recovery, prevention, and family-centered care.
A key insight from the summit
One message surfaced repeatedly during the summit: policy works best when it is shaped by the people most impacted by it.
People with lived or living experience bring insight into how systems function in the real world. Their perspectives help policymakers and providers identify barriers, close system gaps, and design supports that truly meet the needs of families affected by substance use disorder.
Washington’s Washington Thriving initiative reflects this approach. The statewide effort to strengthen behavioral health supports for children, youth, and young adults prioritized engagement with individuals and families with lived or living experience, ensuring their voices help guide the work.
These perspectives remind us that lived experience is not just valuable, it is essential to building systems rooted in empathy, trust, and real-world solutions.
Resources shared at the Summit
Policy Research
Family Resources
Fatherhood Resources
American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) Resources
Systems Thinking and Modeling
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Bipolar disorder, sometimes referred to as manic-depressive disorder, is a mental health condition characterized by periods of depression, hypomania, mania, psychosis, and mixed-mood episodes. Onset of symptoms typically begins in late adolescence and early adulthood, though some individuals may begin to experience symptoms sooner or later in their lifetime. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), bipolar disorder affects about 4.4% of adults (18 and older) and an estimated 2.9% of adolescents (13-18 years old) in the U.S. Many people with bipolar disorder will experience recurrent episodes throughout their lifetime.
New Journeys now provides specialized treatment to individuals who experience psychosis as part of a bipolar illness. An estimated 50% of individuals with a bipolar spectrum disorder experience psychosis (Goodwin & Jamison, 2007). In Washington in 2023, an estimated 1,329 Apple Health-enrolled individuals received a diagnosis of psychosis as part of a mood disorder for the first time (Hong, et al., 2025).
Individuals with bipolar disorder can and do contribute unique talents to society. Recent research posits a high degree of overlap between genetic traits associated with bipolar spectrum disorders and traits associated with creativity. Many renowned artists and writers are known to have lived with bipolar illness in their lifetime.
An important part of recovery involves providing space for healing, exploring individual strengths, and educating families, employers, and communities in order to reduce stigma and increase acceptance. On World Bipolar Day, March 30, 2026 (which marks the birth date of artist, Vincent Van Gogh), we celebrate individuals and communities that share in the hope and inspiration inherent in recovery—in all its beautiful manifestations—each and every day.
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Every March, the first full calendar week becomes a special time to honor an essential yet sometimes overlooked group of education professionals, school social workers. According to the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA), National School Social Work Week is observed March 1–7 and is dedicated to celebrating the contributions these trained mental health professionals make in schools across the United States.
School social workers play a unique and multifaceted role within educational communities. The week shines a spotlight on how school social workers help students navigate challenges, including social, emotional, and behavioral barriers, that might otherwise hinder classroom success. School-employed mental health professionals serve in critical leadership roles related to school safety, positive school climate, and providing school-based mental health services. School social workers offer their unique training and expertise to link mental health, behavior, environmental factors, instruction, and learning together to create safe and successful learning environments. This is done by school social workers fostering collaboration among school staff and community-based service providers while also integrating existing initiatives in the school.
SSWAA offers free ready-to-use resources for schools and districts wanting to recognize and celebrate school social workers. These include social media graphics, printable posters, sample newsletter articles, and advocacy toolkits leaders can use to highlight contributions during this week and beyond.
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