November 11 is Veterans Day and Balanced You would like to thank our employees who have served and honor the continued service you provide as a King County employee. In partnership with the Veterans and Military Affinity Group and the King County Veteran Fellows Program, we would like to share resources to support emotional well-being, community and connection for our Veterans and Military community.

Community and Connection

Affinity Groups offer a space to connect, network and find support and fellowship. We would like to acknowledge the Veteran and Military Affinity Group (VMAG) for providing a space of shared connection and community for King County. V-MAG’s mission is to provide guidance, resources, and mutual support to our network of veteran and military employees. They strive to make King County a more equitable workplace that attracts, retains, and develops veteran and military employees so they may achieve their full potential and thrive.

VMAG meetings occur the 3rd Wednesday of each month from Noon – 1 p.m. Email vet.milag@kingcounty.gov to receive the meeting invite series.

Mental and emotional well-being resources for Veterans

If you find yourself in need of extra support, you may find the following community resources useful:

Headstrong Project – Headstrong is a national-facing mental health treatment practice for United States military, veterans, and their family members. They offer confidential, barrier-free, stigma-free evidence-based treatment approaches regardless of era of service or discharge at no expense.

Cascade Behavioral Health Veteran Support Group: CBH recently started a peer support group for veterans. The group is held on Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. at their Tukwila location (12844 Military Rd S, Tukwila, WA 98168)

Merging Veterans and Players (MVP): Peer support group, specifically for veterans who served combat. MVP empowers combat veterans and former professional athletes by connecting them after the uniform comes off; providing them with a new team to assist with transition, promote personal development, and show them they are never alone.

The Hitching Rail Wellness Center and Retreat: The Hitching Rail Ranch is a place where veterans, first responders, and their families can come to heal and connect. Their equine riding program has many benefits to the mind and body. Horses, like other service animals, provide comfort and support and are non-judgmental. They offer riding lessons to our veterans, first responders, and their families for free plus the community for a suggested donation of $25.00.

Path with Art Veteran Cohort: Path with Art offers multi-disciplinary arts programming, offered quarterly with a specific emphasis on the veteran experience. Their programming is guided by a Veterans’ Steering Committee which is composed of veterans and community members who work with veterans. All veterans are eligible for their programming. Programming is free for all participants.

SeeQuilLouw: Provides an all-inclusive and diverse education and integration of holistic services to meet the needs of Native/First Nation Veterans, families, and communities. Through the five Branches, they meet the cultural and linguistic needs of Native Veterans, their families, and the greater Indigenous communities. Each month SeeQuilLouw hosts a variety of Healing/Talking Circles where folks are invited to join and share their experiences as well as hear other’s share, on a variety of topics.

King County Mental Health Benefits and Resources: A comprehensive guide to employee mental health benefits through King County and more community resources.

If you have questions or suggestions for more resources, please email BalancedYou@kingcounty.gov.