Resources

If You or Someone You Know is in Crisis

If you or someone you know is experiencing an immediate crisis, please call 911 or go to the Peace Island Medical Center Emergency Department – 1117 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA

Free online, phone or text options for getting professional support for youth and those supporting youth. Visit HearMeWA.org

988 Suicide Prevention Hotline: https://988lifeline.org

Mental Health

Local Mental Health and Substance Use Resources

24 hour crisis call line VOA (Volunteers of America) 1-800-584-3578

MCOT (Mobile Crisis Outreach Team) available during daytime office hours: 1-360-682-4138

Get Help WA – Friday Harbor – find a list of local mental health providers

Get Help WA – Lopez Island – find a list of local mental health providers

Get Help WA – Orcas Island – find a list of local mental health providers

San Juan Island School District has a grant from the county to help support underinsured or uninsured students with mental health support through funding for therapy sessions with a therapist.  These funds are available to all students on San Juan Island.  More information can be found by contacting the school counselor at FHES, FHMS, or FHHS.

Friday Harbor Elementary School (360) 378-5209

Friday Harbor Middle School (360) 378-5214

Friday Harbor High School (360) 378-5215

For homeschool students or private schools, contact Amara Zee at FHMS.

Anyone can walk-in Monday – Friday 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1 p.m.-5 p.m. and receive assistance.

520 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA
(360) 378-2669

Additional Mental Health Resources

Free, confidential support line for teens, by teens. Open every evening, it offers a safe space to talk about anything—from stress to mental health or relationships.

https://www.teenlink.org/

A resource hub for parents, caregivers, and youth-serving professionals focused on supporting children’s mental health in Washington State.

https://kidsmentalhealthwa.org/

A podcast from Harvard Medical School featuring experts exploring mental health, brain science, and emotional well-being.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mindscape

Resources, tools, and support for youth mental health, including screening tools, self-help tips, and advocacy information.

https://mhanational.org/youth-mental-health/

Information and resources from the National Alliance on Mental Illness designed specifically for youth, young adults, and the adults who support them.

https://www.nami.org/kids-teens-and-young-adults/

LGBTQIA+ Youth

LGBTQIA+ youth and families often face unique challenges, from identity-related stress to social stigma. This collection of resources offers support for those navigating mental health concerns and guidance for creating safe, affirming environments where all young people can thrive.

24/7 crisis support, resources, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth. Connect via phone, text, or chat for confidential help.

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, and allies. Local chapters available nationwide.

https://pflag.org/

Resources for LGBTQ+ parents and caregivers focused on mental wellness, family support, and affirming parenting practices.

https://mhanational.org/resources/lgbtq-parenting-mental-health/

A research-based handout offering tips and strategies to create safe, nurturing environments for LGBTQ+ children and teens.

Download PDF

Health Youth Survey

Learn more about youth mental health in San Juan County and in Washington state (askhys.net)

  • Highlights from the 2023 Healthy Youth Survey show that mental health is improving among 10th graders, but remains concerning for both youth and adults. This is especially true for youth who are having a hard time finding mental health support.

  • Depressive feelings and contemplation or planning suicide significantly decreased from 2021 to 2023. Even so, 30% of 10th graders reported depressive feelings and almost 15% reported contemplating suicide.

  • 81% of youth in San Juan County said they were moderately or highly hopeful about the future.

  • Adults make a difference! Most youth in San Juan County said they have adults to turn to when they are feeling depressed and that they feel safe at school.

Learn more about what youth and adults in San Juan County are saying about health and well-being in the 2025 Youth Community Health Assessment.

Learn more
En Español

Substance Abuse Prevention

NEED HELP?

If you or someone you know is experiencing an immediate crisis, please call 911 or go to the Peace Island Medical Center Emergency Department – 1117 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA

Free online, phone or text options for getting professional support for youth and those supporting youth. Visit HearMeWA.org

Prevention starts by strengthening the everyday supports that surround young people—at home, at school, and in the community. When youth feel connected and informed, they’re more likely to make healthy choices and avoid substance use. This page highlights what puts kids at risk, what helps protect them, and how adults can make a lasting impact.

Local Resources

Call 844-822-7609 for an outpatient assessment to access local services.

Alcohol/Drug 24-Hour Hotline: 800-562-1240

A Time for Hope – on-island Alateen weekly meetings for young people aged 13-18 who have been affected by some else’s drinking.

 

For Youth and Young Adults

Parents and caring adults are the most important influence in a young person’s life.

When adults clearly communicate expectations around not using alcohol or drugs, teens are more likely to make safer choices. Encouraging youth to delay use until their brains are more fully developed — ideally age 21 or even 25 — can help protect their health and future. Explore the science behind prevention and find ways to take action at home and in your community.

Teen Corner – find an online or in-person Alateen meetings, or online resources or chat opportunities for young people aged 13-18 who have been affected by someone else’s drinking.

Provides teens with reliable information on sexual health, mental well-being, substance use prevention, and other topics to support healthy choices and lifestyles.

https://doh.wa.gov/teenhealthhub

 

Offers facts, tips, and resources to help young people in Southwest Washington make informed decisions about relationships, substance use, and overall health.

https://www.youthnow.me/youth-teens/

 

9 out of 10 Washington teens choose not to drink, and Focus On WA encourages the same by promoting health, building refusal skills, and offering practical ways to stay focused on what matters instead of alcohol.

https://focusonyouwa.org/

Learn the risks of marijuana use for teens—how it affects memory, learning, mood, motivation, and driving—and access tools to resist pressure and protect your brain development.

https://www.youcanwa.org/

Understand how nicotine in vapes and tobacco affects mental health, academics, relationships, and the environment. This campaign provides facts, refusal strategies, and quitting resources tailored for Washington teens.

https://chooseyouwa.org/

For Caregivers and Adults

Caregivers and adults make a lasting impact.

Young people are far less likely to use substances when the adults in their lives set clear, consistent expectations. Talking early and often — and encouraging youth to delay use until they are of legal age or older — helps protect their developing brains and sets the stage for lifelong healthy habits. Your guidance matters more than you may think.

This science-based toolkit shows how brain development underlies effective prevention and offers age-tailored guidance and activities to support youth substance-free choices.

https://www.onechoiceprevention.org/prevention-toolkit#section-brain

Learn how ongoing conversations tailored to each age group help youth resist alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other drugs through informed decision-making across stages of development.

https://drugfree.org/article/prevention-tips-for-every-age/

 

Provides actionable insights and communication tools for parents to discuss healthy choices and reduce youth use of alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, and other substances.

https://starttalkingnow.org/parents

Offers evidence-based information on how cannabis affects memory, learning, motivation, decision-making, and brain development in youth.

https://www.learnaboutcannabiswa.org/

Highlights how nicotine disrupts developing teen brains—impacting attention, learning, mental health, and increasing addiction risk.

https://truthinitiative.org/

Washington Friends for Life – Focuses on overdose risks among youth and provides community-based resources—including naloxone education—to build awareness and prevention in Washington.

https://wafriendsforlife.com/

Educates communities on the dangers of prescription drug misuse and promotes safe medication disposal to prevent abuse and environmental harm.

https://www.cadca.org/over-the-dose/

Provides statewide information on secure medication disposal locations to reduce access to unused or expired prescription drugs and protect public safety.

https://medtakebackwashington.org/

Features a clear, youth-friendly video explaining how adolescent brain maturation makes it particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, and other drugs.

https://youtu.be/Qr760aOB-2Y

Building Resilience

Growing Resilient Youth – Positive childhood experiences help children thrive into adulthood and reduces the risk of youth substance use. Here are some ways we can create positive childhood experiences in families, schools and communities.

The Science of Positive Experiences

Positive experiences can ease stress and help children and youth grow into more resilient, healthier adults.

HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) identifies ways that our communities and systems of care can better ensure that all children have more positive experiences and that all families have support to nurture and celebrate their strengths https://positiveexperience.org/.

Outlines the HOPE framework’s four core building blocks—relationships, safe environments, social engagement, and emotional growth—that support youth resilience and reduce risk of substance use.

https://positiveexperience.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/The-Four-Building-Blocks-of-HOPE-Handout.pdf

Provides ten practical strategies families and communities can use to foster positive childhood experiences that strengthen youth resilience even in challenging periods.

https://positiveexperience.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10-ways-to-promote-positive-childhood-experiences-during-difficult-times-for-families.pdf

 

Describes how positive childhood experiences support brain development, emotional regulation, and long-term health, as demonstrated by current research and theory.

https://www.montanainstitute.com/the-science-of-positive-experience

Summarizes research showing how positive childhood experiences are linked to improved adult mental health, lower depression rates, and reduced substance-related harms.

https://positiveexperience.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/BRFShandout2-18.pdf

Defines essential terminology used in the HOPE framework to help professionals and community members consistently discuss positive childhood experiences.

https://positiveexperience.org/resource/hope-key-terms-and-phrases/

Ofrece un glosario en español de los términos clave del marco HOPE para apoyar la accesibilidad bilingüe y la comprensión de las experiencias positivas en la infancia.

https://positiveexperience.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/HOPE-Key-Terms-and-Phrases-Spanish.pdf

A comprehensive scoping review linking positive childhood experiences with resilience, reduced risk behaviors, and improved mental and physical health outcomes.

https://positiveexperience.org/research/health-associations-of-positive-childhood-experiences-a-scoping-review-of-the-literature/

Examines how embedding HOPE principles into practice transforms outcomes for youth in families, schools, and communities through increased resilience and well-being.

https://positiveexperience.org/research/the-transformational-impact-of-hope/

Shows longitudinal evidence that positive experiences during adolescence significantly influence health and well‑being into early adulthood.

https://positiveexperience.org/research/impact-of-positive-and-adverse-experiences-in-adolescence-on-health-and-wellbeing-outcomes-in-early-adulthood/

Highlights research demonstrating that protective HOPE-related factors help reduce substance use and depressive symptoms among gender minority adolescents.

https://positiveexperience.org/research/protective-factors-associated-with-reduced-substance-use-and-depression-among-gender-minority-teens/

Evaluates prevention strategies and identifies effective versus ineffective approaches for youth substance use prevention at the community level.

https://theathenaforum.org/sites/default/files/2024-08/px_tool_what_works_what_doesnt.pdf

Offers a curated collection of wellness tools, evidence-based prevention guidelines, and community-building resources for youth health promotion.

https://theathenaforum.org/

Protective Factors

Protective factors are the positive supports that help young people thrive.

They can be biological, psychological, or social—and they play a key role in building resilience, or the ability to bounce back from life’s challenges. The more protective factors a youth has in their life—like strong relationships, safe environments, and healthy coping skills—the better their chances of staying mentally well and navigating tough times with confidence.

  • Positive self-concept and self-esteem
    Believing in your worth and feeling confident in who you are.
  • Healthy sleep patterns
    Getting the rest your body and mind need to feel balanced and focused.
  • Good coping and problem-solving skills
    Finding healthy ways to handle stress and work through life’s challenges.
  • Emotional regulation
    Understanding your emotions and expressing them in ways that feel safe and respectful.
  • Regular physical activity
    Moving your body in ways that reduce stress, lift your mood, and support overall wellness.
  • Resilience
    Being able to recover and grow stronger after tough times.
  • Social skills
    Building positive, respectful connections with others.
  • Hope for the future
    Believing that good things are ahead and that change is possible.
  • Goals and aspirations
    Having dreams to chase and motivation to keep moving forward.
  • Access to resources
    Knowing where to turn for help—and feeling supported when you do.

  • Strong family relationships
    Feeling loved, supported, and connected to the people you call family.
  • Open and honest communication
    Knowing it’s okay to talk about feelings, challenges, and questions—and being heard without judgment.
  • Consistent routines and a stable environment
    Having a home life that feels safe, steady, and predictable.
  • Clear expectations and boundaries
    Understanding the rules, what’s expected, and that those limits come from a place of care.
  • Parental involvement
    Knowing your parents or caregivers are present, paying attention, and showing up for you.
  • Positive role models
    Seeing healthy habits and respectful behavior modeled by the adults around you – parents, caregivers and mentors.
  • Sense of belonging
    Feeling accepted, valued, and truly at home within your family.

  • Safe and supportive environments
    Knowing your school and community are places where you feel safe, seen, and protected.
  • School connectedness
    Feeling like you’re a part of your school—supported, involved, and valued.
  • Sense of belonging
    Feeling like you truly fit in and are valued by your community.
  • Positive peer relationships
    Having friends who lift you up, encourage you, and respect your choices.
  • Mentors and role models
    Connecting with trusted adults outside your family who listen, guide, and show they care.
  • Opportunities for participation
    Being able to take part in sports, clubs, volunteering, or creative activities that build confidence and connection.
  • Access to mental health services
    Knowing where to turn when you need support—and feeling comfortable reaching out.
  • Spiritual or cultural connections
    Feeling rooted in your values, beliefs, or traditions that give life deeper meaning and connection.

Technology and Social Media

Most youth in our community have easy access to smartphones, gaming, and social media. While technology can be a great tool for learning, creativity, and staying connected, it also brings challenges. Increased screen time can lead to less face-to-face connection with friends, family, and the wider community—impacting mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. This section explores how to find a healthier balance between online and offline life.

Brain Science – Social Media & Gaming Addiction

A review of the research shows how adolescent brain development is affected by excessive gaming and social media use, linking it to addiction, cognitive changes, and mental health risks.

Offers practical tools such as the Five Circles of Online Safety framework to help families establish healthy tech habits, parental controls, and positive role modeling.

https://www.centerforonlinesafety.com/

Provides resources and strategies to help families create healthy tech boundaries, encourage intentional screen use, and strengthen family connections.

https://www.betterscreentime.com/

Tools to help families start conversations about screen time, online behavior, and digital safety while supporting youth mental health and responsible tech use.

Highlights the connection between gaming and gambling, offering resources to educate and empower youth to make safe and informed choices.

https://youthhavethepower.org/

Research and News

What the Science Tells Us

Learn about the latest research and what the data tells us about reducing youth substance use and promoting their well-being.

The HYS is a statewide survey students in grades 6-12 and are invited to share about their wellbeing, experiences, beliefs, behaviors, community, school experiences and more. Our local coalitions, schools, health department and others use this data from our county’s youth to learn how we can best support youth and their well-being.

https://www.askhys.net/

A leading federal agency providing resources, data, and support for preventing substance use and promoting mental health and well-being across all age groups, including youth and families.

https://www.samhsa.gov/

Offers tips and tools for parents and caregivers to help children thrive at home, in school, and in life—covering everything from daily routines to school transitions and community connection.

https://toolsforyourchildssuccess.org/

Presents SAMHSA’s overview of risk and protective factors for youth substance use and mental health, emphasizing prevention and resiliency strategies.

https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/20190718-samhsa-risk-protective-factors.pdf

National data on youth substance use trends and risk behaviors, linked to protective factors and prevention frameworks.

https://www.cdc.gov/youth-behavior/risk-behaviors/substance-use-among-youth.html

Supports community coalitions with tools, training, and models designed to strengthen protective factors and steer youth development away from substance use.

https://www.cadca.org/

Prevention Tools and Resources

Learn more about substance use prevention and how to promote youth health and well-being.

Learn how brain development informs youth substance use prevention and discover practical tips for supporting healthy choices at every stage of development.

https://www.onechoiceprevention.org/prevention-toolkit#section-brain

Offers foundational guidance on the what, why, and how of prevention, with tools and strategies to support youth well-being and reduce risk factors for substance use.

https://www.mihealthyyouth.com/preventionbasics

Results from over 217,000 Washington students in grades 6–12 show improvements in mental health and social support, stable or declining substance use rates, and signs of resilience after the pandemic.

https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/2023-healthy-youth-survey-results-offer-signs-hope-and-resiliency-among-washington-students

Findings highlight trends and challenges unique to rural Washington youth, including mental health, substance use, and access to support, with comparisons to statewide data.

https://esd112.sharepoint.com/:b:/t/PreventCoalition/EY2XGPMkIrZGtM6Lr2c3yBwBa1Zv7ikVnH9_7UmRYigHxg?e=iLAh1U

Resources for families, schools, and communities to support youth health and prevention efforts.

  • Mental Health

  • Alcohol

  • Tobacco & Vaping

  • Marijuana/Cannabis

  • Prescription Drugs & Opiates

https://www.askhys.net/Resources/FamilySchoolCommunity

Contact Us

Robyn Carbuccia
Cell 360-982-8993
Community Coalition Coordinator

988 Lifeline