New Behavioral Health Continuum of Care Video Series for Washington Primary Care Providers

Seattle Children’s is committed to addressing the public health crisis of youth suicide. As part of the Suicide Prevention Program, we offer key resources and tools to help PCPs identify and care for patients with behavioral and mental health concerns.

With suicide as the second leading cause of death among youth ages 10 to 24, PCPs play a critical role in identifying early signs and providing support. Seattle Children’s Suicide Prevention Program, in partnership with Seattle Children’s Care Network (SCCN), has launched Behavioral Health Continuum of Care: A Series for Primary Care Providers. The series provides PCPs with essential information about the levels of care available in Washington state for mental and behavioral health issues, helping them guide families to the appropriate services.

The series consists of seven short videos, each ranging from 5 to 20 minutes, making it easy for providers and staff to fit them into their schedules. These videos are designed for anyone involved in supporting the mental and behavioral health of pediatric patients and their families.

Video Series Overview

The Behavioral Health Continuum of Care Video Series equips PCPs with the knowledge to understand the different levels of care and how to connect families with the right resources, and includes the following videos:

1. Getting Started: The Basics and Things to Know. Gain an understanding of consent laws in Washington state, the different levels of care, and how to help families begin searching for care.
2. Navigating Outpatient Care. Understand what Washington State insurance options are available and instructions to provide to families seeking outpatient care. Learn about support resources available to assist families with accessing care.
3. Wraparound with Intensive Services: WISe Program. Learn about Medicaid’s Wraparound with Intensive Services (WISe), including who is eligible and how to support families with a referral.
4. Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization Programs. Learn about intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs, when families may want to pursue this level of care, and how to support with referrals.
5. Inpatient Hospitalization. Understand what inpatient hospitalization is and how to access services. Understand when a youth might need inpatient hospitalization.
6. Residential Programs. Learn what residential treatment programs are and what families should do to access residential treatment.
7. What To Do in a Crisis. Learn how to set families up to manage crisis safety.

These videos are available on the Seattle Children’s Suicide Prevention Program website, and providers can access them at any time to learn at their own pace.

How These Resources Help PCPs and Their Patients

• Enhanced Knowledge of Care Options: The video series offers a clear breakdown of behavioral health care levels in Washington state, helping PCPs guide families to the right services.
• Practical Tools: Providers will gain practical steps for referring families to needed services and supporting them through the process.
• Timely Access to the Right Care: By understanding the behavioral health continuum, providers can minimize patient wait times and efficiently direct them to the most appropriate resource for care.

Learn More

Visit Seattle Children's Suicide Prevention Program's website for additional information and resources. For additional behavioral health training for primary care, visit the SCCN’s website.