Issues That Matter

In late 2017 and early 2018, libraries throughout Snohomish and Island counties hosted forums dealing with various aspects of mental health. Scroll down this page for information on specific events, including links to video and audio recordings.

Inspired to help improve individual and community mental health? Check out this list of action ideas from our panelists. Listen to four episodes of the Color Commentary program dedicated to suicide awareness and prevention in Snohomish County.

Sno-Isle Libraries offers many books and research materials related to mental health. Click the links below to explore library and community resources that complement this series.

Issues That Matter: Let's Talk Mental Health 
Issues That Matter: Age-related Mental Health
Issues That Matter: Caregiving and Self-care
Issues That Matter: Depression and Suicide
Issues That Matter: Substance Abuse
Issues That Matter: Trauma
Issues That Matter: Youth Mental Health

ARCHIVED FORUMS

Families and Dementia
Arlington Library,  Nov. 9, 2017
Panelists: Marilyn Enright, Stillaguamish Senior Center; Ruth Egger, Homage Senior Services; Hazel Borden, Alzheimers Associaton. Moderator: Mayor Barbara Tolbert.
Watch video of the forum
Listen to audio from the forum

Aging and Mental Health
Sultan Library, Nov. 20, 2017
Panelists: Christine Vervitsiotis, Mental Health Outreach Specialist, Homage Senior Services; Hazel Borden, Alzheimers Association; Aime Fink, Snohomish County Human Services  Family Caregiver Program; Gretchen Saari, National Alliance on Mental Illness
Listen to audio from the forum
Watch video of the forum

Living with Brain Injuries
Snohomish Library, Dec. 3, 2017
Panelists: Janet Mott, Brain Injury Alliance of Washington; Nancy Eagle, RN, Delta Rehabilitation Center. Moderator: Jude Anderson, Snohomish Library manager
Listen to audio of the forum
Watch video of the forum

Self-care as an Accepted Practice
Mountlake Terrace Library, Dec. 6, 2017
A conversation led by family therapist and author Sarri Gilman. Panelists: Amber Saldivar, mental health counselor; Saranne Moreschi, Family-to-Family instructor with National Alliance on Mental Illness; and Ivette Bayo Urban, doctoral candidate.
Listen to audio from the forum
Watch video of the forum

Trauma Timeline: Breaking down barriers for community healing
Darrington Library, Jan. 20, 2018
Panelists: Kim McAndrews, art therapist and mental health counselor, co-author of "Supporting a Rural Community with Art-Based Experientials Following a Natural Disaster"; Brenda Rogge, employment specialist, Sunrise Services; Charlotte Myxter, mental health therapist and owner, Blue Sparrow Counseling Services. Moderator: Darrington Mayor Dan Rankin
Watch video of the forum
Listen to audio of the forum

Care for Alzheimer's Caregivers
Lynnwood Library  Jan. 25, 2018
Panelists: Janet Zielasko, Social Services/Wellness Manager, Northshore Senior Center; Michelle Barnes, Family Caregiver Support Program, Homage Senior Services; Hazel Borden, Snohomish County Community Outreach Coordinator, Alzheimer's Association of Washington State. Moderator: George Kosovich, Assistant Superintendent, Verdant Health Commission
Watch video of the forum
Listen to audio of the forum

Addressing Mental Health Concerns in Children
Lake Stevens Library, Jan. 25, 2018
Panelists : Hannah Herkert, Student Mental Health Support Specialist, Lake Stevens School District; Ashli Ordona, Student Mental Health Specialist at North Lake Middle School; Christina Riesen, National Alliance on Mental Illness. Moderator: Mayor John Spencer
Watch live video of the forum
Listen to audio of the forum

Veterans and Mental Health
Monroe Library, Jan. 27, 2018
Panelists: Dan Overton, Program Coordinator, WDVA Traumatic Brain Injury Program; Arleen Gibson, Founder, H3 Horses Healing Heroes; Jim Bloss, veteran and community activist/volunteer; Karla Hawley, music therapist.
Facilitator: Donald Lachman, Special Projects Coordinator, Washington Department of  Veterans Affairs
Watch live video of the forum
Listen to audio from the forum

Youth Mental Health
Oak Harbor Library,  Jan. 30, 2018
Panelists: Elizabeth Walther, Chief of Clinical Services, NAS Whidbey Island; Charlene Ray, Forefront Suicide Prevention Coordinator and Clinical Supervisor for Island County Human Services; Ryan O’Donnell, Program Manager of Island Children Intensive Services, Compass Health; Steve King, Associate Superintendent, Oak Harbor School District. Moderator: Librarian Jessica Aws
Watch live video of the forum
Listen to audio of forum

Mental Health Resources in Island County
Coupeville Library, Feb. 5, 2018
Panelists: Charlene Ray, Island County Mental Health; Chris Garden, Coupeville Marshal & North Sound Behavioral Health advisory board member; Rob May, EMS, Whidbey Health;  Judy Heinemann, Compass Health. Host: Jackie Henderson, Director at Island County Human Services
Watch live video of the forum
Listen to audio of the forum

Mental Health and Addiction
Mariner Library, Feb. 7, 2018, at Mariner High School Little Theater
Panelists: Natalie Fryar, Director of Clinical Operations, Evergreen Recovery Centers; Sgt. Ian Huri, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Neighborhoods; Robert Smiley, The Hand Up Project, Founder. Moderator: Judy Hoff from The Hoff Foundation
Watch video of the forum
Listen to audio of the forum

Caring for Someone During a Mental Health Emergency
Clinton, Freeland and Langley libraries. Feb. 13, 2018, at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, Langley.
An evening with Sarri Gilman, author of "Transform Your Boundaries" and 25 Mental Health Tips to Support Your Wellbeing and a TEDxSnoIsleLibraries speaker. She is joined by Dr. Howard Aposhyan, Charlene Ray, LICSW, and others who will share ways to understand mental health challenges and how to find help and support. 
Watch video of the forum
Listen to audio of the forum

Veterans and Mental Health
Mill Creek Library, Feb. 22, 2018, at Mill Creek City Council Chambers
Panelists: Chuck Wright, veteran and traumatic stress specialist; Laurie Akers, therapist specializing in help to transitioning veterans; Sam Powers, veteran and director of Student Veteran life at the University of Washington. Moderator: Andrew Ballard, educator and president of Marketing Solutions
Watch video of the forum
Listen to audio of the forum

Helping Friends or Family with Mental Health Issues
Granite Falls Library, Feb. 27, 2018
Panelists: Stacey Alles, Chief Operating Officer, Compass Health; Susan Gregory, Crisis Services Assistant Program Manager, Volunteers of America Western Washington; Shira Hasson-Schiff, Director of Prevention services, Cocoon House; Peggy Ray, Program Manager, Arlington/Granite Falls/Lake Stevens Community Resource Centers – Lutheran Community Services Northwest
Moderator: Dennis Smith, retired school psychologist and counselor, Granite Falls Community Coalition board member
Watch the live video
Listen to audio of the forum

Parenting a Troubled Teen 
Camano Island Library and Stanwood Library, March 7, 2018 at Camano Island Library.
Panelists: Megan Boyle, Director of Children’s Intensive Services at Compass Health; Susan Caverly of Therapeutic Health Services; Rochelle Long, Co-Occurring Disorder Specialist at Stanwood High School. Moderator: Judy Williams, Stanwood City Council member
Watch the live video
Listen to audio of the forum

Mental Health: Let's Act!
Hosted by Sno-Isle Libraries, March 24, 2018, Black Box Theatre, Edmonds Community College
A summit to review what we have learned in the "Let's Talk" forums, with experts who will explain how anyone can enhance mental health in our communities. Confirmed panelists: Anji Jorstad, behavioral health supervisor, Snohomish County; Micki Smith, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) statewide parent educator on advocacy and mental health basics; David Hall, NAMI Board member and deputy city attorney for Everett. Moderator: Tom Sebastian, chief executive officer, Compass Health.
Watch video of the forum
Listen to audio of the forum

Teen Depression and Suicide
Edmonds Library, April 17, 2018
Panelists: Shira Hasson-Schiff, Director of Prevention Services, Cocoon House; Jo Anna Rockwood, school psychologist and behavioral specialist; Dipti Chrastka, Clinical Director of Crisis Clinic; Carolina Mooney, Scriber Lake High School graduate. Moderator: Robin Fenn, Superintendent, Verdant Health Commission
Watch video of the forum
Listen to audio of the forum