By: Saskia Perks It’s back-to-school season, when children often feel anxious about the upcoming year. Managing anxiety is not an overnight process. It takes both the caregiver and child working together to discover the best coping strategies. […]
By Saskia Perks July 16th marked one year since the nationwide launch of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The lifeline allows anyone in the U.S. to call or text a trained mental health counselor for free […]
“Okay boomer,” are the words you might hear if you ask someone under 30 to put in long work hours or take on more extra responsibilities on the job. Often (and not always accurately) called “quiet-quitting”, this social-media-driven trend encourages people to prioritize their own well-being over their job.
Whether you’re a veteran mental health advocate or a newly inducted legislative staffer, keeping track of all the acronyms used in mental health policies and legislation can get overwhelming. So, we’re here to help reduce the number of times you have to google what “BHCIP” (pronounced BEE-CHIP despite its spelling) is. Or you’re left wondering whether when someone say’s “CSU” in a conversation about mental health crises if they’re talking about a California State University. Spoiler alert: they aren’t.
California relies on multiple streams of revenue to fund public mental health services from federal, state, and local levels. One of the many sources of income is the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). It’s a vital source of funding that directly impacts the care Californians receive for mental health and substance use care.
It’s a startling statistic: Nearly half of all lifetime mental illness cases in the U.S. begin by age 14, yet 79% of youth needing care don’t receive it. A new approach to youth mental health care in California care hopes to change that startling dynamic. The “allcove” program brings youth voices in order to create a “with, for, and by youth” experience.
Reducing stigma, bridging gaps, improving communication, and making care more accessible are required to ensure quality mental health care for all. To address these barriers, innovation projects across California, funded through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), are piloting various solutions. In Orange County, Be Well OC provides an integrated mental health system that breaks down barriers to lifesaving care. Be Well OC may serve as the future blueprint for communities across the state to provide universal access to quality mental health care.
Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) are less likely than their white counterparts to utilize mental health services despite experiencing mental illness at a similar rate to white individuals.
Too often a lack of resources and social stigma leaves people who need mental health support without help. As a consequence, we have seen an “ineffective and deadly” response to people experiencing mental health crises. The 988 crisis line is an opportunity to reimagine mental health and substance use disorder crisis response to give people the help they need. Through one easy-to-remember phone number, 988 will ensure that anyone experiencing a mental health crisis receives the care they deserve.
For some people, getting clinical treatment for mental illness or substance use disorders isn’t enough to help them succeed in their recovery. They need more personal care that empowers them to follow through with their care plan. Peer supporters offer a more personal support system for those in recovery to rely on. Peer supporters are people who have lived experience with mental illness or substance use disorders, that provide assistance to those in recovery. They build positive and welcoming relationships with those they are supporting and empowering them to succeed.