Mental Health Referral Service

Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens

You can find more information about Washington's Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens by visiting: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/washington-mental-health-referral-service/

Youth Behavioral Health Navigator (link: https://kidsmentalhealthsw.org/)

What is Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens?
How to Use the Mental Health Referral Service

What is Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens?

Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens connects families with mental health providers who have openings in their schedule and can meet your child’s needs. We link you to providers in your local area who fit your child’s specialty needs and insurance coverage. Washington state funds the free referral service and Seattle Children’s operates it.

Any Washington family can use this free service. We make referrals for children and teens 17 and younger from across Washington. We connect families with evidence-supported outpatient mental health services in their community.

How to Use the Mental Health Referral Service

Have your insurance card handy and helpful information about your child’s diagnosis.
Call 833-303-5437 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Or, complete an online request and a referral specialist will call you.
We will ask about your child’s mental health needs, health insurance plan and where you live.
Then, we will research mental health providers in your area to find 1 or 2 that meet your family’s need and have openings. This process can take longer than a week. We will give you details on how to contact the providers we recommend.
We will also send the referral suggestions to your primary care provider.
A few weeks after that, we’ll follow up to make sure your child is getting the care they need. If you do not have an appointment yet, we will talk about any problems you are having. If needed, we will link you with another provider.
Providers, learn more about the service.

Learn about mental health resources such as useful links, videos and recommended reading for you and your family.

How does the referral service find a good fit for my child?

Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service keeps a database of mental health providers that we update each day. Information comes from health plan provider lists and other sources that we check for accuracy. Our staff also calls mental health providers in different parts of the state to see if they have openings.

The database includes:
- If the mental health provider has openings for new patients
- Provider’s specialties and types of treatment offered
- Which health insurance or state programs cover the provider

Is this referral service part of Seattle Children’s Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Program?

- No. Seattle Children’s operates the Mental Health Referral Service for Washington state. The service is for children and teens from across our state. Your child does not need to be a Seattle Children’s patient.

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Mental Health Referral Service