Resources
Community and Online Resources
If you are experiencing a crisis and need immediate assistance, please call 9-1-1 or the 24-hour King County Crisis line at: 206.461.3222, or 866.427.4747, TDD 206.461.3219.
King County Connections
Offers a great online resource for many legal, health, social, and other services: Community information/crisis line: 206.461.3200
Crisis Text Line
Crisis counseling, geared toward teens, offered via text, 24/7. To use this service, Text “START” to 741-741. Crisis Text Line's first priority is helping people "move from a hot moment to a cool calm", guiding them to create a plan to stay safe and healthy. Staffed by great crisis counselors, and trained and overseen by supervisors.
Center For Chronic Illness (CCI)
CCI is a nonprofit organization based in Seattle, Washington, that provides support groups and health education programs for those living with chronic health challenges. They offer community-wide programs (not offered out of one particular venue) with the goal to allow easy access to those living in various parts of the Seattle-metro area. Examples of the types of support and education programs: Living Mindfully with Chronic Illness Support group, and June 2017 Education event : Working with Chronic Illness: Success when Facing Health Challenges in the World of Work.
Autoimmune Advocacy Alliance (A3)
The Autoimmune Advocacy Alliance (A3) is a collective effort to achieve clarity, understanding and support for the needs of those living with autoimmune diseases. They are a unified group of people focused on autoimmunity. They are patients, advocacy groups, healthcare professionals, family members, friends, volunteers and supporters. They meet, communicate information, share ideas, advocate for those in need, gather for events, raise awareness and support for research.
CancerLifeline
A Seattle organization that offers a wide range of free programs and valuable information. Their mission is to help optimize the quality of life for all people living with cancer: patients, friends, families, co-workers and caregivers. Seattle: 206.297.2100. Bellevue: 425.747.4367.
Medication Assistance Programs
NeedyMeds is a non-profit organization that helps people find healthcare or medication assistance programs. The site is user-friendly and free of charge.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
This wonderful 8-week program at Swedish hospital in Seattle offers instruction in mindfulness meditation, gentle yoga, and a range of strategies to manage stress and physical symptoms, as well as provides a supportive group for sharing experiences and feelings with others living with chronic pain, chronic illness and other medical conditions. Classes are offered throughout the year and are led by highly experienced physical therapists, including Carolyn McManus, the program's founder in Seattle. Carolyn McManus's website is a great resource for finding out about course schedule, as well as other related workshops, both for professionals and patients. The link will bring you to her website.
Many national organizations have local or regional chapters, support groups, online resources and message boards.
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America
Gilda’s Club Seattle or Cancer Pathway
Interstitial Cystitis Association
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders [about IBS.org]
Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America
National Fibromyalgia Association
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Foundation (PCD)
Spondylitis Association of America
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Association
Please note: Shira Wilson-Gross/Seattle Wellness Counseling is not responsible for the contents of any of the above-referenced resources, and inclusion in this list does not indicate endorsement of the policies, procedures, or views contained therein.