News — Page 31
Live Whole Health #295: Sink into relaxation
Retired Navy SEAL Commander Jon Macaskill leads a brief body scan meditation aimed at promoting relaxation and awareness of bodily sensations. This guided practice encourages individuals to connect with their breath and gradually focus on different parts of the body, from head to feet. Research i...
Meet our winners
ELAP announced its annual Pro Bono Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations that significantly contribute to the community’s legal needs.
from crisis to stability: jasmine’s story
Jasmine faced a life-changing moment when she and her children were evicted from their home, leaving them with nowhere to go. With their belongings packed into a stroller, she felt heartbroken as her kids asked where they would go next. Family homelessness in the region has reached critical level...
the power of community, furniture, and fresh starts
Mary’s Place aims to ensure that no child sleeps outside, working through emergency family shelter, mobile outreach, and homelessness prevention. A key initiative, the Make-a-Home program, supports families transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing by providing essential furnishings. P...
a safe home for the holidays: nicole and ella’s journey out of homelessness
Nicole, a single mother with Multiple Sclerosis, faced homelessness when her health challenges led to job instability and mounting bills. After losing her home, she and her daughter, Ella, found themselves living in their car as winter approached. Concerned for her daughter’s safety in the cold, ...
December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month
December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month, a time to ensure holiday gifts for children are both fun and safe. When selecting toys, it’s important to choose age-appropriate items, especially for children under three. Avoid toys with small parts, ropes, cords, heating elements, button batterie...
Department of Health Releases 2025 Maternal Mortality Review Panel Report
Maternal deaths in Washington increased between 2021 and 2022, with most being preventable, according to the new Maternal Mortality Review Panel (MMRP) Report from the Department of Health. Behavioral health-related issues, such as suicide and overdose, accounted for nearly half of these deaths, ...
Navigating the holidays
The holiday season can intensify feelings of grief for families who have lost a military or Veteran loved one. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) offers support and hope during this challenging time. TAPS emphasizes the importance of creating understanding environments for grievi...
Seattle Office of Labor Standards Announces Expiration of Temporary COVID-19 Grocery Worker and Gig Worker Ordinances Providing Protections During Pandemic
The Seattle Office of Labor Standards has announced the expiration of temporary COVID-19 ordinances that provided protections for grocery and gig workers during the pandemic. The Grocery Employee Hazard Pay (GEHP) and Gig Worker Protection ordinances have ended, which were established to support ...
Grief Awareness Week: Honoring Loss, Making Space for Healing
December 2 through 8 marks Grief Awareness Week, a time to recognize the various expressions of grief and its significant impact on mental health. At Vibrant, the focus is on providing support for those dealing with loss, affirming that grief reflects love and connection rather than weakness.
Army Veteran expands her family
Army Veteran Miranda Zuhlke faced numerous challenges while trying to start her family, including several miscarriages and costly in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. After seven years and nearly $400,000 spent on treatments, Zuhlke and her husband welcomed their first son, Chance, in April 2...
Customizable Preventive Services Letter (Spanish)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides a customizable letter in Spanish for preventive services. This resource is part of the Coverage to Care initiative, which aims to improve health outcomes by encouraging the use of preventive services. The letter can be tailored to me...
5 Major Advantages of a Partial Hospitalization Program for Depression
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) for depression offers participants a structured environment where they spend 8-9 hours a day in therapy five days a week while returning home in the evenings and on weekends. Typically lasting 6-8 weeks, the program includes individual and group dialectical...
Veteran volunteer gives 28,000 hours
Maggie DeRee, a veteran and dedicated volunteer, has devoted nearly 28,000 hours to the VA over 25 years. She served 20 years in the Army Reserve as a chef and had deployments in Korea and Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. Her passion for art led her to the Veterans Creative Arts Festival, which ...
Standing together against breast cancer
Breast cancer is most treatable when detected early, prompting the VA to encourage eligible Veterans, both women and men, to schedule regular screenings and mammograms. The VA recommends annual or biennial mammograms for most women starting at age 40, or earlier for those at higher risk. Dr. Tina...
‘VA treatment gave me a new lease on life’
Army Veteran William Huff, 93, has made a remarkable recovery thanks to the Salem VA Health Care System. In early 2025, after breaking his back in a fall, his family feared he would not survive. However, Huff underwent kyphoplasty surgery in February, which provided immediate relief and marked th...
Managing stress in the holiday season
The holiday season brings joy and celebration, but it can also lead to increased stress. Signs of stress include difficulty concentrating, feelings of worry, irritability, and fatigue. As people prepare for gatherings, shopping, or travel, it’s essential to be aware of personal stress levels. Hea...
VA Research Wrap Up: New findings on suicide prevention, CBD and headaches
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released a research wrap-up focusing on three key areas: suicide prevention, the use of CBD, and headache treatments. A recent study found that veterans are at increased risk for suicide, and the VA is emphasizing the importance of mental health resourc...
West Coast Health Alliance, WA DOH, and Leading National Medical Organizations Continue to Recommend Hepatitis B Vaccination for Newborns
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and the West Coast Health Alliance, alongside leading national medical organizations, continue to recommend COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for all eligible individuals. As the fall season approaches, the DOH emphasizes the importance of vaccinat...
Become a Continuum of Care Board Member
The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) is seeking individuals to join its Continuum of Care Board. This board plays a critical role in addressing homelessness in the region by overseeing the implementation of strategies and policies aimed at improving the local response to homele...