Mission
Each year Ryther heals and gives hope to over 2,500 young people and their families in Western Washington who struggle with mental illness, trauma, substance use, homelessness, and autism, through an array of exceptional therapeutic services on our campus, in the community, and now remotely.
We envision a community where all youth have hope, resilience, and a chance to heal so they may look forward to the future.
What Makes Ryther Different
Ryther takes the more challenging approach by embedding ourselves in places in the community other providers don’t go. We are under bridges, in schools, and in families’ homes. At Ryther, we envision a society where every child, no matter their ability to pay, receives exceptional mental health care when they need it.
Youth Mental Health Crisis
As a result of the pandemic leading medical groups have declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health triggered by prolonged isolation, uncertainty, and grief during the coronavirus pandemic. Coinciding this crisis, the Medicaid system has seen an enrollment jump of 11% during the pandemic and now insures 2 million Washingtonians. That’s more than one in five Washington residents, including nearly half the state’s children.
At Ryther, the impact has been an increasing demand for our services from some of our most vulnerable populations. Public health insurance, Medicaid, allows families struggling to provide basic life needs—food, housing, and transportation—to access needed physical and behavioral health care. Unfortunately, the reimbursement rates do not cover the costs of the agencies providing therapeutic services to those who are the most vulnerable in our community. The result has been a skyrocketing demand for services and long waiting lists of families desperate to secure therapeutic services for their children. Ryther receives calls daily from parents and caregivers asking if they can get their child in for therapy. When informed of the long waiting lists, many parents express fear, anger, and desperation that their child cannot wait that long, especially if they are suicidal. It is a terrible situation that no family should have to endure.
How You Can Help
We recognize that when we work together, the strength of our collective efforts is powerful. As part of the Ryther community, you are helping us tackle some of the key causes of mental illness, addiction, and homelessness. Together, we can work to address the youth mental health crisis.
By supporting Ryther, you help ensure that more children will have the care they need – no matter a family’s ability to pay.
