Compass Health: Charting a Course for Whole-person Care

Across northwest Washington, individuals and families rely on National Council member Compass Health for care that supports the whole person, not just a diagnosis or crisis. From crisis response to youth services, Compass Health is meeting rising behavioral health needs. We sat down with President and CEO Tom Sebastian (pictured) to discuss its integrated health approach, the community partnerships that make it possible and what lies ahead.

How do you define and deliver whole-person care across your programs?

“At Compass Health, we strive to promote whole-person care by providing holistic support tailored to each client’s unique needs. By addressing the many factors that influence mental wellbeing and meeting people where they are in their recovery, we help break down barriers to care and create hope.

“We know mental health can’t be treated in isolation. Mental health conditions and substance use disorders are often interconnected, each influencing the onset, severity and recovery of the other. Research shows that when these challenges occur together, individuals face greater risks of adverse outcomes. That’s why we take an integrated approach, combining behavioral health and medical care to deliver a full continuum of services when and where clients need us.

“For example, in our evaluation and treatment programs, teams provide coordinated stabilization and withdrawal management for adults experiencing mental health and substance use challenges. This ensures clients receive the right support at the right time, laying the foundation for long-term recovery.”

What behavioral health needs are most pressing in your community, and how is Compass Health responding?

“Across our five-county region, we continue to see a growing need for timely and equitable access to behavioral health care, especially for individuals in crisis, youth and families, and those navigating the complex intersections of mental health and substance use.

“One of our key priorities is crisis response and stabilization. Programs like YGo — our youth mobile crisis team — and our Mobile Crisis Outreach Team deliver community-based crisis intervention, helping individuals and families get support where and when they need it most. This past year, we also invested in the Marc Healing Center, a 70,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility designed to meet the most intensive behavioral health needs of Northwest Washington. The center plays a critical role in bridging the gap between emergency response and long-term recovery.

“At the same time, ongoing Medicaid cuts and funding challenges continue to threaten access to care across the behavioral health system. We remain committed to ensuring every individual — regardless of income or insurance — can receive the care they need. To keep our community informed and engaged, we recently launched a Medicaid advocacy webpage featuring policy updates and the steps we’re taking to protect services for the people and families we serve.”

How do you engage the community in your work?

“At Compass Health, we believe the path to recovery and long-term wellbeing shouldn’t be traveled alone. As a resource for both our neighbors in need and our community partners, we prioritize collaboration across the many systems that shape our clients’ lives. We work closely with law enforcement, lawmakers and elected officials, schools, health care providers and first responders to build a network of care for those who need support — wherever and whenever they need it.

“These partnerships help us respond to our community’s needs and strengthen the continuum of care across our five-county region. One example is our collaboration with the Bellingham School District, where we provide mental health services through a school-based health clinic — the first of its kind in Bellingham. This program ensures students can access care in a trusted environment.”

What upcoming initiatives or projects are you most excited about?

“We’re thrilled to open the Marc Healing Center in Everett, home to high-intensity programs including Expanded Community Services, the Adult Intensive Outpatient Program and the Program of Assertive Community Treatment, along with an on-site pharmacy. In the coming months, we’ll add a 16-bed evaluation and treatment unit and a 16-bed crisis triage center. The facility will serve nearly 1,500 clients annually through more than 35,000 points of care, helping prevent crises and easing demand on first responders, law enforcement and hospitals.

“What began as a bold vision seven years ago is now a reality made possible by a community dedicated to advancing behavioral health care. The Marc Healing Center embodies our commitment to whole-person care — integrating medical oversight, behavioral health expertise and seamless transitions to ongoing support. We look forward to its lasting impact on individuals and families, and to continuing our Broadway Campus Redevelopment Project to bring a full continuum of care to downtown Everett.”

Can you share a success story that captures Compass Health’s impact?

“For more than 120 years, Compass Health has served Northwest Washington with innovation, growth and collaboration at the heart of our work. Over the decades, we’ve expanded services across five counties, forged strong partnerships and built new facilities, all to better meet our community’s needs.

“One of our most meaningful recent milestones has been updating Compass Health’s mission, vision and values, a process that reflects how far we’ve come and where we’re headed as a leading community behavioral health provider. This work engaged staff, partners and community voices to ensure our values truly represent who we are today: compassionate, accountable, collaborative and committed to fairness.

“In many ways, this alignment is our success story — uniting our people, programs and vision to create lasting impact in our communities.”

What do you wish more people understood about the vital role behavioral health plays in communities?

“One of the most overlooked truths of our work is how essential behavioral health is to the wellbeing and stability of our communities. At Compass Health, we go far beyond treating individuals in crisis — we provide preventive care, early intervention and ongoing support that help people lead healthier lives.

“When behavioral health needs go unmet, the effects ripple far beyond the individual. Emergency departments, law enforcement and other critical systems face added strain — systems never designed for this level of care. Investing in comprehensive behavioral health services improves individual wellbeing and strengthens entire communities.”