Author Archives: Doris Estremera

Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Steering Commitee Meeting

Posted on by

The MHSA Steering Committee meets twice a year during implementation of the MHSA Three-Year Plan. Our next meeting is scheduled, details below:

MHSA Steering Cmttee flyer_120716.jpg

MHSA Steering Committee
Wednesday, December 7, 2016 / 2pm-3:30pm
225 37th Ave. Room 100, San Mateo, CA

Agenda items include:

  • Update on MHSA including outcomes and services provided
  • MHSA Innovations projects and evaluation
  • Workforce Education and Training sustainability planning
  • Planning for the upcoming Mental Health Services Act 3 year plan input process

Following the MHSA Steering Committee, the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Recovery Commission will vote for opening a 30-day Public Comment period for the MHSA Annual Update starting at 3:30pm, same date and location listed above.

The meeting is open to the public. Stipends are available are for clients/consumers participating in this meeting. Language interpretation and childcare are available, please contact us to reserve these services. Light refreshments will be provided.

We are updating the membership process and recruiting new MHSA Steering Committee members.  If you are interested in joining please contact, Doris Estremera at mhsa@smcgov.org or (650) 573-2889.

*MHSA imposes a 1% tax on California personal income in excess of $1 million. The MHSA Steering Committee has the important role of making recommendations to the planning and services funded by MHSA in San Mateo County. For more information on MHSA in San Mateo County, please visit the MHSA website at smchealth.org/bhrs/mhsa.

Westmoor High School Peer Assistants trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid

Posted on by

For the third year now, Westmoor High School offered the Youth Mental Health First Aid certification to students in their Peer Assistant class.  A total of 24 students were trained and certified in 2 days. The students were trained to identify signs and symptoms of different mental disorders such as Depression, Anxiety, and Psychosis.  The students also learned how to self-care and take care of others in the case of a crisis. Instructor’s Kathy Reyes and Natalie Andrade incorporated fun 10 minute dance parties to practice self-care, which the class enjoyed. Many of the students also enjoyed role playing different mental health scenarios and getting involved in the group discussions.  Concluding the certification the students decided to take a silly picture!

20160927_152002.jpg

1 in 5 youth will experience a mental health challenge in their lifetime. Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is an 8-hour public education training program designed for any adult or student peer working with or assisting young people, ages 12-24. In 2013, San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Office of Diversity and Equity partnered with the County Office of Education to begin offering this training to schools throughout the county. Classroom teachers, school site administrators, school office personnel, coaches, bus drivers, after-school providers, parents, teacher’s aides, school health aides, yard duty staff, crossing guards, peers and other school personnel are strongly encouraged to become Youth Mental Health First Aiders.

The certification at Westmoor High School was made possible through a collaboration between the school’s counselor, Ki Gaines, the peer assistance co-teacher, Mr. Vargas, and the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Office of Diversity and Equity.

For more information about YMHFA, visit http://smchealth.org/bhrs/ode/CommunityEd#YMHFA or contact Natalie Andrade at nandrade@smcgov.org or 650-372-8548.

Article by Janette Ochoa, Intern with the Office of Diversity and Equity

RAND study looks at stigma from a cultural perspective

Posted on by

A recent RAND study surveyed individuals of various racial and ethnic groups across California and asked about their willingness to interact with people experiencing mental health conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), capturing one important aspect of stigma.  The results of the study suggest that some racial and ethnic groups may be more hesitant to seek help when experiencing mental distress given the level of stigma in their respective communities. The study also strongly supports targeted stigma reduction efforts, such as culturally tailored messages or outreach activities for example.

randstigma_tableThe three interactions asked about included participants’ willingness to “move next to”, “spend an evening socializing with”, or “work closely on a job with” someone with a mental health condition.

While results varied slightly across the interactions studied, White Americans in California were the least stigmatizing of people with mental illness, Latinos and African Americans showed slightly more stigmatizing, and Asian Americans show the highest level of stigmatizing attitudes. Some key findings include:

  • All Racial/Ethnic Groups
    • Differences across groups were small when asked about socializing with someone experiencing symptoms of depression or schizophrenia but varied in the context of PTSD
    • All groups showed higher negative responses to schizophrenia
  • African Americans and Latinos most closely resembled the low stigmatizing responses of Whites yet, there were significant differences depending on the interaction
  • Asian Americans on average had greater unwillingness to interact with individuals with depression and PTSD compared to other racial/ethnic groups
    • No differences in level of stigma found for Asian-Americans speaking different languages
  • Latinos scored lowest compared to other groups on unwillingness to work closely with someone experiencing symptoms of mental health illness. With regards to acculturation:
    • Spanish speaking Latinos were much less willing than English speaking Latinos to socialize with someone experiencing symptoms of PTSD
    • Twice as many English-speaking Latinos than Spanish-speaking Latinos were unwilling to work closely with someone with symptoms of schizophrenia
  • White Americans were the least stigmatizing overall and express less hesitancy about moving next door to someone with PTSD and depression than other groups

To learn more about what San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) is doing to reduce stigma among our diverse communities, visit our website at www.smchealth.org/ode. Find out how you can get involved and help reduce stigma with our Health Equity Initiatives

And finally, take the pledge to end stigma online and learn more about San Mateo County’s Be The One (anti-stigma) campaign.

 

Written by Nixi Cruz-Sanchez, Former Intern, Office of Diversity and Equity

Over 60 People Trained in Suicide Prevention Among Older Adults

Posted on by

During September Suicide Prevention Month, over 60 individuals attended the September 13 Suicide Prevention Among Older Adults training provided by Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. The purpose of this free training was to educate anyone serving the older adult (60+) population on why older adults are at higher risk for suicide and on how to help prevent suicides among older adults. The audience included clinicians, mental health staff, community partners, and other individuals supporting older adults.

 

IMG_8249_edited.JPGThe training included an introductory presentation and a panel with a client/consumer, provider and community partner. Our speakers included Carmen Lee (Stamp Out Stigma), Dr. Barbara Yates-Weissman (San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services) and Dr. Patrick Arbore (Institute of Aging, Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention).

View the recorded training and handouts. The handouts are located at the bottom right corner of the page. Please note this link works only with Google Chrome browser, not Internet Explorer.

To learn more about suicide prevention efforts in San Mateo County and get involved, visit the Suicide Prevention website.

 

Happy 50th Anniversary to the StarVista Crisis Center!

Posted on by

 

 IMG_8281.JPG

Picture (Left to Right): Sylvia Tang, Narges Dillon, Stephanie Weisner,  Jei Africa

On September 22, the  StarVista Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Center celebrated 50 years of crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to San Mateo County. The event involved recognition of the Crisis Center’s volunteers, staff and community partners.

The San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity is honored to continue to partner with StarVista on suicide prevention efforts.

Visit our previous blog post to learn more about the services provided by the Crisis Center.

Cheers to 50 more years!

Amazing Dialogue with New BHRS Interns

Posted on by

This past Friday,  the Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) capped off a two-day orientation for 38 new BHRS interns and trainees with a fun and interactive Amazing Dialogue event and contest in which the interns/trainees get to learn all about ODE and the Health Equity Initiatives (HEI) as they visit table displays and have “amazing dialogues” with staff and representatives. The interns/trainees also get to vote for their favorite HEI table display (the Pacific Islander Initiative took the win this year!) and they take a short pop quiz  for 1st runner up, runner up and grand prize.

“I really liked all the presenters.  The passion that they have for the work they do is inspirational.”

image1.JPG

“I enjoyed all of the training given by the clinicians, it gave me perspective and insight about my role as an intern.  I also enjoyed the lived experience panel as well as the WRAP facilitators and the interactive activities.”

Sounds like the trainees/interns are off to a strong start  this year!

The BHRS Intern & Trainee Program provides training opportunities to psychology interns, masters-level trainees, alcohol and drug certificate program students, and psychiatric residents each year.  The  program includes:

  •  A two-day informative and fun orientation, which includes learning from staff across BHRS, receiving clinical training in trauma-informed care and self-care, hearing from the Lived Experience Academy about how to be a thoughtful and effective clinician, and the Amazing Dialogue event.
  • Placements at various BHRS sites, including the Youth Services Center, BHRS clinics, Service Connect, Serramonte Therapeutic Day School, Pre to 3, School-Based Mental Health, Canyon Oaks, Pathways programs and others.
  • Bi-monthly psychiatric grand rounds and regular in-service trainings.
  • Cultural Stipends for interns/trainees who provide services to underserved populations and participate in a HEI project/program.

Visit the BHRS Intern & Trainee Program website to learn more.

 

Chinese Outreach Pilot Program Makes a Positive Impact

Posted on by

While Chinese make up 11% of the San Mateo County population, only 2% of BHRS clients are Chinese.  In 2013, the Chinese Health Initiative (CHI) of the Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) documented their findings of under-utilization of behavioral health services by Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans and in June 2014, with Mental Health Services Act funding, successfully launched the Chinese Outreach Pilot Program.

The Chinese Outreach Pilot Program’s primary goal is to link individuals and families in need to appropriate behavioral health resources and further document the behavioral healthcare gaps and needs of the Chinese community. A part-time bilingual Outreach Worker was hired to provide outreach, linkage and warm hand-off.

DSC_0443_2.JPG

“…the community needs more culturally and linguistically competent outreach workers to help overcome the barriers for this population to take advantage of mental health services. If these fledgling programs cease we will continue to see a lack of usage of those services until it’s too late in the cycle. It’s great to see the pilot program and we should continue and expand on the success of that program.” – community member

Chinese Outreach Pilot Program Successes To-Date

(June 2014 – April 2015)

  • 9 targeted language and culturally appropriate outreach materials created
  • 27 outreach and education events at community organizations and health fairs
  • 10 formal seminars or presentations conducted
  • 6 strategic partnerships to better serve and link Chinese clients to services
  • 42 Chinese clients and their families linked to behavioral health services

(January 2016 – June 2016)

  • 2 strategic partnerships to better serve and link Chinese clients to services (a strong screening and referral system in primary care clinics and effective linking through the BHRS Access center)
  • 4  outreach and education events to public high schools
  • 23 monolingual Chinese seniors provided mental wellness screening
  • 21 community based agencies reached and developed partnerships
  • 12 Chinese clients and their families linked to behavioral health services

 

The Chinese Outreach Pilot Program has demonstrated a need for increased outreach and services for the Chinese community; so much so that the initial outreach worker was hired by a local health agency which provided the majority of referrals to BHRS.   In January 2016, a new Outreach Worker was hired to continue the work.  While there are systemic and resources challenges still to be addressed, we are hopeful that the Outreach Worker model will continue to sustain the successful efforts and partnerships developed and even be replicated to support other underserved communities in San Mateo County.

To view the full reports, please visit the ODE website at www.smchealth.org/bhrs/ode.

Felicidades a las recientes graduadas del Programa Embajadores de Salud Mental

Posted on by

*English translation

Este pasado Julio, el programa Embajadores de Salud (HAP por sus siglas en inglés) de la oficina de diversidad y igualdad, Office of Diversity and Equity, orgullosamente reconoció a dos recientes graduadas de HAP,  Margarita y Cynthia. Las embajadoras fueron presentadas su certificado de HAP en la comisión de salud mental y recuperación de abuso de substancias, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Recovery Commission.  Margarita y Cynthia, en la fotografía, fueron acompañadas por varias otras embajadoras, instructoras y el director del departamento de servicios de salud mental y recuperación, Behavioral Health & Recovery Services.

July2016_HAP Graduates

Margarita: “Soy mama, trabajo, soy voluntaria y recién graduada del programa de Embajadores de Salud Mental. Los cursos que pase para embajadora, me están sirviendo de mucho en mi vida personal y en la comunidad. Especialmente el de salud mental, un curso muy interesante, quisiera aprender más y educarme más. Por todos estos  cambios positivos que he tenido en mi personal, soy una persona positiva, comprensiva, optimista y me gusta escuchar a los demás.”

Cynthia “Soy recién graduada del programa de Embajadores de Salud Mental. Soy madre de tres hijos, y quiero decir que estas clases que tome como embajadora fueron de  mucha información. Con estas clases aprendí información sobre salud mental, el abuso de drogas y alcohol, también aprendí habilidades como convivir con mi familia y familiares libre de estigma y ser una persona fuerte, segura y positive.

Estas clases las tome para poder educarme ,  informarme y ayudar a mi hijo de 9 anos ,lo cual lo he logrado ahora puedo  reconocer problemas de salud mental con la familia y familiares  y poder informar educar y guiarlos mejor ya que todos tenemos necesidades y a veces pasamos por los mismos problemas y juzgamos en vez de ayudar.”

HAP  fue creado en reconocimiento del rol importante que individuos pueden tomar, en su comunidad, al poder efectivamente compartir recursos con otras personas y familias. Embajadores de salude enseñan clases en su comunidad para adultos y jóvenes, ayudan a identificar necesidades y a facilitar cambios, participan en varias oportunidades y reciben compensación por sus contribuciones.

Queremos agradecer a los graduados  por su tiempo y dedicación a informar, educar, y por el impacto que tienen en reducir el estigma asociado con la salud mental y abuso de sustancias.

 

Two new Health Ambassador Program graduates recognized

Posted on by

This past July, the Office of Diversity and Equity was proud to recognize two new Heath Ambassador Program (HAP) graduates, Margarita and Cynthia. The Health Ambassadors were awarded their HAP certificate at the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Recovery Commission.  Margarita and Cynthia are pictured below and accompanied by fellow former graduates, facilitators and the Director of Behavioral Health & Recovery Services.

July2016_HAP Graduates.jpg

From Margarita: “I am a mother, I work, I am a volunteer, and I am a recent graduate of the Health Ambassador program. The courses I took in the Health Ambassador program have helped me a lot in my personal life as well as in my work in the community. The mental health courses were especially interesting and I would like to continue to learn and to educate myself.  Because of all these positive changes that I’ve had in my life, I am a positive, understanding, and optimistic person who likes to listen to others.”

From Cynthia: “I am a recent graduate of the Health Ambassador program. I am a mother of three kids and the classes I took have given me a lot of information. Through these clases I learned about mental health and substance abuse, I also learned how to interact with my family and others free of stigma and to be a strong, confident and positive person. I took these classes to educate myself and to help my 9-year old son, which I have accomplished. As a result, I have also learned to recognize mental health issues with my family and others and am able to educate, inform and guide them better since we all have needs and often have the same problems and we judge instead of help each other.”

 

HAP was created in recognition of the important role that community members serve in effectively reaching out to others.  Health Ambassadors teach youth and adult courses in their community, assist in identifying needs and help to make a change, participate in various opportunities and are paid a stipend for their contributions.

We thank the graduates for their time and dedication to informing, educating, and making an impact to reduce the stigma around mental health and substance abuse.

 

Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Innovation Project Plans Approved!

Posted on by

On July 28th, we presented three innovative project plans to the State of California, Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC). All three projects were approved and will now move forward to implementation.   Thank you to those that provided testimony at the MSOAC meeting and shared their stories and experiences in support of these projects.  A few highlights on each project are included below.

  • The Health Ambassador Program for Youth (HAP-Y), a project that will adapt, pilot and evaluate a psycho-educational process (based on an adult Health Ambassador Program) to train youth ages 16-25 as ambassadors for mental health awareness, stigma reduction and in turn increase access to mental health services.  The project will be administered by StarVista, who’s role includes supporting the youth post ymhfa-1.jpggraduation with opportunities to engage in community presentations, outreach, advisory roles, etc.
    • Special thank you to Yolanda Ramirez, current Health Ambassador and Family Partner with BHRS for her sharing her personal and heart-felt testimony in support of at-risk youth and to Narges Zohoury Dillon, Program Director at StarVista for sharing her professional experience with youth advocates and youth in crisis, in support of HAP-Y.
  • The LGBTQ Behavioral Health Coordinated Services Center (The Center) will provide a coordinated approach across mental health treatment, recovery and  supports forLGBTQ high risk LGBTQ communities and include the collaboration of multiple agencies. The Center will include a space where groups, events and other activities will be held and feature the coordination of three components; 1) a social and community component; 2) a clinical component; and 3) a resource component.
    • Thank you to Anthony Ross, Outlet Director for Adolescent Counseling Services for sharing his heart-felt personal and professional testimony in support of transgender and gender non conforming and high risk individuals.
  • The Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) within an Adult Service System will adapt, pilot and evaluate the application of the NMT approach (primarily used with youth) to an adult population, within the BHRS Adult System of Care. NMT locates the neurobiological reason for an individual’s behavioral problems and, if appropriate, provides a holistic approach integrated with multiple forms of targeted therapies that may include music, dance, yoga, drumming, therapeutic massage, etc.

To learn more about these projects, final Project Briefs are available on the MHSA website, www.smchealth.org/bhrs/mhsa.

 

« Older Entries Recent Entries »