Compass Health expands team and service capacity in San Juan County to meet local behavioral health needs

With a team of mental health and substance use treatment professionals based in San Juan County, Compass Health has expanded service capacity across the islands to meet community members’ behavioral health needs. Additionally, new grants from local organizations are ensuring student access to counseling through school-based telehealth programs and providing Youth Mental Health First Aid training.

“Our team is ready to serve our neighbors across San Juan County,” said Anthony Terndrup, Compass Health Outpatient Program Manager for Skagit and San Juan Counties, who is based in Friday Harbor. “As we all continue to navigate this challenging time, we want everyone to know that we’re available to provide quality mental health care and substance use treatment to island residents.”

The Compass Health mental health professionals who live and work in San Juan County collectively have more than 80 years of experience. The team offers outpatient and school-based counseling and outpatient and intensive outpatient substance use disorder services via both in-person and telehealth visits, as well as children’s intensive outpatient services and mobile crisis outreach services.

“We’re proud that our team is available at an expanded capacity. It’s a rare achievement, especially in a rural setting, while Washington is experiencing a behavioral health workforce shortage statewide,” said Judy Heinemann, Compass Health Director of Skagit, Island, and San Juan County Outpatient Services. “Compass Health is dedicated to ensuring our team is based locally and understands the distinct rhythms, needs and appeal of living in the San Juans.”

Lucy Bosche, MSW, a school-based mental health clinician based in Friday Harbor, also noted the remarkable aspects of life in a small town.

“I have lived in small communities throughout my entire life and there is a blessing and a challenge to existing in a tight-knit town, especially during hard times,” she said. “Working with younger folks in these environments, I am able to act as a guide and support as they navigate internal and external roadblocks and step into the most whole, fulfilled version of themselves.”

Support from local community organizations plays an important role in Compass Health’s ongoing presence in the county. The San Juan Island Community Foundation recently awarded a $3,300 grant to fund an in-person Youth Mental Health First Aid class. The day-long training, designed for anyone working with or parenting youth ages 12 to 25, introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention and, most importantly, teaches individuals how to help a youth in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. The class is scheduled to take place in early 2022 and will be free and open to the public.

Plus, the San Juan Island Community Foundation Virtual Fair Matching grant event raised $1,910 in funding for school-based telehealth equipment stations in Friday Harbor.

“Generous donations and grants like these make our work possible,” said Heinemann. “We are so thankful to the San Juan Island Community Foundation and the many other individuals and organizations that help us provide vital behavioral health services to our communities.”

Details about Compass Health’s programs in San Juan County:

• Child & Family and Adult Outpatient mental health services: individual and family counseling for children, adolescents, adults and seniors recovering from anxiety, depression, trauma and other mental health conditions. Services are provided via telehealth or in-person at the Friday Harbor and Eastsound offices. Apple Health insurance is accepted. For referral information, contact Compass Health’s Access Team at 844-822-7609, or contact the Friday Harbor office at 360-378-2669.
• School-based mental health services: individual and family counseling for students recovering from academic distress, behavioral challenges, social anxiety, or other mental health conditions. Services are delivered in-person at Friday Harbor Elementary, Middle and High Schools and Orcas Island Elementary, Middle and High Schools. Telehealth services are available to Lopez Island students. Apple Health insurance is accepted, or San Juan County grant funding is available for uninsured and underinsured youth. For referral information, contact Compass Health’s Access Team at 844-822-7609, or contact the Friday Harbor office at 360-378-2669.
• Outpatient substance use disorder services: individual, family, and group counseling for clients recovering from chemical dependency. Groups meet in-person once a week at the Friday Harbor office. Other services are delivered via telehealth or in-person at the Friday Harbor and Eastsound offices. Apple Health insurance, commercial insurance and self-pay are accepted. For referral information, contact Compass Health’s Access Team at 844-822-7609, or contact the Friday Harbor office at 360-378-2669.
• Intensive outpatient substance use disorder services: individual, family, and group counseling for clients recovering from chemical dependency. Groups meet in-person three times a week at the Friday Harbor office. Other services are provided via telehealth or in-person at the Friday Harbor and Eastsound offices. Apple Health insurance, commercial insurance and self-pay are accepted. For referral information, contact Compass Health’s Access Team at 844-822-7609, or contact the Friday Harbor office at 360-378-2669.
• Children’s intensive outpatient services/ WISe: supports children and their families using the Wraparound with Intensive Services (WISe) model. The WISe team provides comprehensive behavioral health services for individuals up to 20 years of age with complex behavioral health needs and their families. Assessment, treatment and support services are provided in the youth and family’s natural setting where needs and challenges present themselves, such as the home, school and community. Services are available at the Friday Harbor office and on campus throughout the Orcas Island School District. Apple Health insurance is required. For referrals, call 425-349-8337 or email WISereferrals@compassh.org.
• Mobile crisis outreach services: responds to and provides crisis services in the community, including homes, schools and shelters. The Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) serves adults, adolescents and children who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, regardless of their funding source. To access this service during business hours, call the MCOT Crisis line at 360-362-9161, or contact the VOA Care Crisis Line outside of business hours at 800-584-3578.

The Friday Harbor office is located at 520 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 and operates weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Eastsound office is located at 1286 Mount Baker Road, Suite 209B, Eastsound, WA 98245 and operates weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.