Mental Health Awareness - Steinberg Institute

by Jason ShoultzFebruary 23, 2023

Let Your Mission Be Your Guide

A solid mission and vision statement is a staple for most, if not all, organizations. And, if asked, I would assume we’d agree that mission statements are an important tool for organizations to look toward while conducting their business. As our Our CEO, Karen Larsen, says, the Steinberg Institute’s mission, “…clearly states our purpose and gives our team a north star, guiding us in our work.” And it’s true! Our mission guides us as we make decisions about how we will invest our time and resources daily and annually.

Illustration of an illuminated person walking amongst dark figures

California State of Mind

by Steinberg InstituteFebruary 1, 2023

Supporting the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities after traumatic events. AAPI mental health matters.

The “year of the rabbit” in 2023 began with multiple acts of gun violence impacting California’s Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Two mass shootings, first in Monterrey Park on lunar new year’s eve and then in Half Moon Bay have left people searching for answers. Traumatic events like these are all too common nationwide, and coping with them can be very difficult, especially for those impacted directly. At the same time, Asians are the racial group in America least likely to access care than any other group. It’s critical that we do everything we can to ensure that our AAPI community has the mental health support needed to cope with these events.

California State of Mind, Essentials

by Steinberg InstituteDecember 20, 2022

Steinberg Institute’s top 10 mental health acronyms you need to know

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.

Illustration of a boy with his head in the clouds

California State of Mind

by Jason ShoultzDecember 6, 2022

One Student’s Lingering Lockdown Trauma

Everything seemed to be going well for Jason Finuliar. The Filipino-American high school student from Fremont, California had exceptional grades and was president of the debate club. But a year into the pandemic, he began to show symptoms of mental illness, and his family struggled to find the right path forward for Jason.

Michael Hansen as a child growing up in the 1960s

California State of Mind

by Jason ShoultzOctober 31, 2022

My Mental Health Journey: It’s Never to Late to Ask for Help

Michael Hansen is a Sacramento County resident living with Bipolar 2 Disorder. From a young age, he faced extreme mood swings that took a toll on his relationships and life. Unfortunately, he wasn’t diagnosed with bipolar until age 59 after decades of struggle. Now as a member of the Stop Stigma Sacramento Speakers Bureau, Michael hopes to reduce stigma and discrimination, promote mental health and wellness and inspire hope for people and families living with mental illness.

Gillette, Wyoming, elementary school principal Bertine Bahige arrived in the U.S. in 2004 as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He says he is concerned about how integrating into U.S. culture will affect the mental health of refugees, particularly children. (UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING)

California State of Mind

by Jason ShoultzOctober 12, 2022

Many Refugees Dealing with Trauma Face Obstacles to Mental Health Care

As a young boy living in what was then Zaire, Bertine Bahige remembers watching refugees flee from the Rwandan genocide in 1994 by crossing a river that forms the two Central African nations’ border.

Telemundo announces the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

California State of Mind

by Steinberg InstituteAugust 2, 2022

988 is live: let’s make sure Spanish speakers know too

In July, the 988 the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline went live nationwide. This critical number will make mental health and crisis support much more accessible to anyone who needs it.

California State of Mind, Essentials

by Jason ShoultzJuly 26, 2022

BIPOC Mental Health Month: Common barriers to mental health services

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.

California State of Mind, My Mental Health Journey

by Jason ShoultzJuly 19, 2022

My Mental Health Journey: From dusty beginnings to giving back

La Viola Ward is a mental health speaker and advocate. After obtaining her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, she made it her mission to share her experience living with mental illness and hopes to help to reduce many of the stigmas associated with mental health — especially within communities of color through her work.

California State of Mind, My Mental Health Journey

by Steinberg InstituteJune 23, 2022

My Mental Health Journey: Ponte Las Pilas

There’s a saying in Spanish that goes “ponte las pilas,” literally meaning “put the batteries in. I heard this phrase from my dad all the time growing up and even now as an adult. If you heard someone say “put the batteries in” in English, you’d probably think about getting a remote control or a toy car, but dad was actually telling us to “put the batteries in” to ourselves.