Author Archives: Doris Estremera

Promising results for California-wide Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Initiatives

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An evaluation by the RAND Corporation shows promising results for the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)—a coalition of California counties— implementation of statewide initiatives to help reduce mental health stigma and discrimination, prevent suicide, and improve student mental health. Following are some highlights of the report, you can also read the full report here.

  • Social marketing campaigns were associated with reduced mental illness stigma and greater confidence to intervene with those at risk for suicide.
  • Trainings improved knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about mental illness, and made participants feel more prepared to help those in distress.
  • Online resources reached many and efforts to drive people to websites were key.
  • Collaborative partnerships influenced mental health– related policies in California.

CalMHSA PEI activities are funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).  It’s exciting to see the partnership and joint effort making a difference in promoting positive mental health outcomes across the state. However, the report also found that “without strategic and continued investment in statewide PEI programming, many of the gains associated with the larger initial investment are at risk of being lost.”

A few examples of CalMHSA programs and outcomes include:

15736-01-RSE14-Website-Redux-WorkDetail-EMM_02The “Each Mind Matters” stigma reduction campaign, which reached 1 in 4 California adults. Since the campaign’s inception, the stigma of mental illness has decreased in California: More Californians say they are willing to socialize with, live next door to, and work closely with people experiencing mental illness, and they report that they are providing greater social support to those with mental illness.

A cadre of Californians where trained to become trainers in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). Cost-benefit analyses of ASIST showed that just one year of CalMHSA’s investment in creating this group of ASIST trainers is projected to prevent at least 3,600 suicide attempts and 140 deaths over the next 28 years.

The RAND Corporation evaluated CalMHSA’s PEI initiatives and provided evidence that CalMHSA successfully developed PEI resources and programs; reached large numbers of Californians; and improved the knowledge, attitudes, and intentions of those who were reached.

SPECIAL FEATURE #5: PROMOTING POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES – Health Ambassador Program

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The Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) Health Ambassador Program (HAP) was created in recognition of the important role that every day people serve in effectively reaching out to others. The idea actually grew from parent graduates of the Parent Project®; parents requested more ways to get involved, build on the skills they had learned and give back to their community. Health Ambassadors have the opportunity to:

  • Teach youth and adult courses in your community.
  • Assist in identifying needs in your community and helping to make a change.
  • Share your thoughts with the County of San Mateo about wellness in your community.
  • Work with other dedicated individuals.
  • Participate in various volunteer opportunities.

“It [HAP] helps decrease stigma… we have more individuals feeling comfortable and safe asking for help. It also helps community members learn about services offered through the San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services and know what’s available for themselves or their families and friends.  It’s the idea of people helping people,” says Maria Lorente-Foresti, HAP Coordinator.

Enjoy this short video clip and visit ODE’s Community Education webpage to learn more about the Health Ambassador Program and other Community Education programs.

Once a week I am sharing BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) prevention programs through a series of short video clips created by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). Check out our previous blog posts and come back next week for the final Special Feature #6 – Stigma Free San Mateo County!

TOMORROW…Speak Up, Save a Life: Suicide Prevention Forum

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In recognition of September Suicide Prevention Month, we are partnering with StarVista and Caltrain to host the following free and public event tomorrow:

Speak Up, Save a Life: Suicide Prevention Forum
Friday, September 25 / 12:00-1:30 PM
San Mateo Main Library, Oak Room
55 West 3rd Avenue, San Mateo, CA, 94402

The Forum will feature keynote speaker Dr. Jorge Wong, Behavioral Health Services Director at Asian Americans for Community Involvement and panelists Salvador Zuno, Caltrain Transit Police; Narges Zohoury Dillon, StarVista Crisis Hotline; Teresa Tantau, in recovery from a suicide event; and Alan Cochran, family member of someone who has experienced suicide.

Refreshments will be provided and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available. Interpretive services will be available upon request with three days’ notice. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Sylvia Leung at sleung@smcgov.org or 650-578-7165.  Download the flyer.

GDG 2015@County-57-COPY

If you or someone you know may be thinking about suicide, speak with a trained counselor who can help you 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Call the StarVista crisis hotline (650) 579-0350.

For more information on suicide prevention, visit www.smchealth.org/SuicidePrevention.

More on Suicide Prevention Day and Week:
United States Presidential Proclamation of World Suicide Prevention Day
Get Involved with Suicide Prevention Week

3rd Annual Sana Sana Colita de Rana Latino Health Forum

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4X6 postcard 3ro Latino Health Forum FINALThe Office of Diversity & Equity, Latino Collaborative and Healthy Weight Collaborative invite you to join the 3rd Annual Sana Sana Colita de Rana Latino Health Forum, “Community Health Equity”/ “Igualdad en Salud Comunitaria”.

The Forum is a FREE family event that includes an Annual Parade for Peace and Justice and various health forums, raffles, food and fun!

Saturday, September 26, 2015 
CUNHA Intermediate School
600 Church St., Half Moon Bay, CA

We are also looking for volunteers!  If you are interested, please use this link to sign up. http://goo.gl/forms/GBxFcrJ7Db

SPECIAL FEATURE #4: PROMOTING POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES – Mental Health First Aid

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The Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program is a groundbreaking free program that trains participants to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders and learn a 5-step action plan to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care.

Since it’s inception, over 1400 individuals have been certified in MHFA … “We’ve trained everyone from teenagers, law enforcement, parents, teachers to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health and learn appropriate ways on how to connect someone to help,” says former coordinator, Lauren Getuiza.

In October 2013, ODE partnered with the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) to begin offering Youth MHFA in schools, successfully training 917 individuals during 51 trainings countywide. At 6 month follow up, more than three-quarters (77%) of respondents reported having been in a situation at least once since their participation in the course, in which YMHFA was relevant. And of these:

  • 97% report that they applied YMHFA
  • 91% report that they felt they were effective in applying YMHFA

Enjoy this short video clip and visit ODE’s Community Education webpage to learn more about the Adult and Youth MHFA and other Community Education programs.

Once a week I am sharing BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) prevention programs through a series of short video clips created by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). Check out our previous blog posts and come back next week for Special Feature #5 – The Health Ambassador Program!

Special Feature #3: Promoting Positive Mental Health Outcomes – The Parent Project®

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ODE’s Parent Project® was created specifically for to anyone who cares for a child or adolescent displaying challenging behaviors. The goal is to decrease unhealthy or dangerous behaviors in children and strengthen the relationships within families in a culturally informed manner. It is a free, 12-week course (three hours, once a week) currently offered in both English and Spanish. The program offers childcare and dinner for evening classes.  Since it’s inception in 2013, 439 parents have attend with a graduation rate of 77%.

BHRS knows the crucial role parents play in addressing behavioral issues of adolescents and is committed to providing parents with the skills and education they need “…we are on the ground, in the community, we get to know families and have the privilege of learning their stories and creating effective change… we are about empowering parents…” says Maggie Furey, Program Coordinator.

Enjoy this short video clip and visit ODE’s Community Education webpage to learn more about the Parent Project® and other Community Education programs.

Once a week I am sharing BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) prevention programs through a series of short video clips created by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), funded by MHSA. Check out our previous blog posts and come back next week for Special Feature #4 – Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid!

Special Feature #2: Promoting Positive Mental Health Outcomes – Storytelling

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It’s time for our second feature of Promoting Positive Mental Health Outcomes. Once a week I am sharing BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) prevention programs through a series of short video clips created by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), funded by MHSA.  Check out the previous blog post dated August 27, 2015 for the first Special Feature.

ODE’s Storytelling Series breaks down barriers, shed’s light on stigma and other community issues, is healing and empowering to individuals with lived experience, “there is an overwhelming sense of accomplishment on the third day when we sit around and watch the world premier of these videos, ” says Kathy Reyes, Program Coordinator.

Enjoy this short video clip, visit ODE’s Storytelling webpage to view an array of powerful and diverse stories, and come back to this blog next week for Special Feature #3 – The Parent Project!

The Storytelling Series includes both Digital Storytelling, a combination of video, sound, music, animation, photographs, and other images to capture an individual’s lived experience; and Photovoice, photographs to record and reflect on an important aspect of an individuals life and environment.

Special Feature: Promoting Positive Mental Health Outcomes – Office of Diversity & Equity

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Prevention — keeping people from getting sick in the first place, is crucial to promoting positive mental health outcomes and the BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity (ODE) is doing this in a very unique way.

I am very excited to share, over the next six weeks, ODE prevention programs through a series of short video clips created by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), funded by MHSA.  The prevention work of ODE involves not only staff but community members, families, clients, community leaders… as Dr. Jei Africa, ODE Director says, “it’s about empowering communities to join in and be a solution to the issues we face with mental health and substance abuse.”

Enjoy this short video clip, visit ODE’s website for more information, and come back to this blog next week for the next Special Feature – Digital Storytelling and Photovoice!

The Office of Diversity & Equity (ODE) goal is to eliminate health disparities, health inequities, and stigma for mental health and substance abuse. ODE’s values are rooted in cultural humility, community involvement and capacity building, advocacy, social justice, collaboration, innovation and meaningful outcomes.

Congratulations to MHSA PEI Funding Recipients!

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The goal of the Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) component is to decrease risk factors, and increase the protective factors that promote positive mental health. MHSA PEI funds the following Community Interventions for School Age and TAY programs:

Early Childhood Community Team – supporting social emotional development in child care settings by providing consultation to child care providers

Seeking Safety – helping people attain safety from trauma and substance abuse

Project SUCCESS – preventing and reducing substance use and abuse and associated behavioral issues among high risk, multi-problem adolescents

School-based Services – aligning mental health clinicians to middle schools

The following agency’s were selected to receive awards to implement these programs:

  • StarVista – Early Childhood Community Teams
  • Puente de la Costa Sur – Project SUCCESS and Seeking Safety
  • El Centro de Libertad – Seeking Safety
  • Pyramid Alternatives – Seeking Safety
  • Asian American Recovery Services, Health Right 360 – School-based Services

Congratulations, we look forward to working with these strong community partners and continue the work to promote positive mental health for underserved communities.

Make Your Personal Pledge to Be The One to Help

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As you may have heard, BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) is hosting a “Be The One” campaign to help reduce stigma toward behavioral health conditions. Part of the campaign encourages everyone to submit their own personal pledge on how they will reduce stigma around mental health and substance use conditions. In just one and a half months, we have gathered over 140 pledges, including photographic, online and post card pledges.  Those who have made pledges have expressed how gratifying it is to share. Check out the pledges by visiting http://smcbhrsblog.org/betheonesmc

The more we talk about mental health and how to best help someone, the more likely a loved one will feel empowered to seek help and recover. Be The One to help!

You can make your own personal pledge by visiting http://smcbhrsblog.org/betheonesmc and/or share your written pledge and/or photo with us, your friends and your family via social media with #BeTheOneSMC.

Jei_BeTheOne_Pledge

Dr. Jei Africa, ODE Director, shares his pledge… I will Be The One to “say people recover and there is hope.”

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