Why do so many people with severe mental illnesses go untreated in WA?

Seven percent of Washingtonians live with a serious mental illness — that’s the second highest level in the nation, right behind Alabama.

We see evidence of this on our streets, where the intertwined issues of substance abuse and mental illness are more visible every day.

A new podcast from KUOW and The Seattle Times sets out to explore why so many people with severe mental illnesses go untreated in Washington state.

Soundside host Libby Denkmann caught up with Esmy Jimenez, one of the reporters behind "Lost Patients" to learn more about the series.

Listen to full episodes of Lost Patients and learn more about the six-part series here.

“Lost Patients” is a collaboration between The Seattle Times and KUOW Public Radio, in partnership with the NPR Network.