by Carol Leish, MA
In November, 2021, the Ventura County Behavioral Health Department gave two very informative presentations to the community, through Zoom, concerning the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). The focus of these presentations (which were the same), was to let the community know the status of information pertaining to the MHSA, along with getting community feedback.
The community presentations were given by, Dr. Jamie Rotnofsky, PhD, Behavioral Health Sr. Manager, Hilary Carson, MSW, Sr. MHSA Program Administrator, and Greg Bergan, MHSA Program Administrator. It focused on the areas of: 1) Prevention and Early Intervention; 2) Strategies to improved positive outcomes and to reduce negative outcomes; 3) Suicide Prevention; 4) Community Services and Supports; 5) Innovation Projects; and, 6) Program Expansion Planning.
In regards to, ‘Prevention and Early Intervention,’ the focus was on the importance of strategies and activities being implemented early on in order to deter the onset of mental health condition or relapse among individuals. This also included the importance of changing community conditions that contribute to risk factors for developing behavior or mental health issues. This includes incorporating values of cultural competence, consumer and community empowerment, and collaboration and inclusion in providing services that emphasize recovery, wellness and resiliency.
Selective services provide strategies to deter the onset of mental illness among individuals and changes community circumstances that contribute to behavior health problems, according to the goals of, ‘Prevention and Early Intervention.’ This also includes early intervention services that are directed toward individuals exhibiting early signs of a mental illness, early onset of a mental illness or emotional disturbance with psychotic features and, suicide prevention efforts.
Strategies provide access and linkage to treatment to improve the timely access to services for underserved populations, along with non-stigmatizing and non-discriminatory approaches, which lead to stigma and discrimination reduction. suicide prevention, and, early intervention prevention (including relapse prevention). This also reduces the negative outcomes from untreated mental illness such as, suicide, incarcerations, school failure or dropout, unemployment, prolonged suffering, homelessness, or removal of children from their homes.
The Suicide Prevention Council helps in terms of suicide prevention. In September 2021, the Council hosted its 6th Annual A Suicide Prevention Forum titled “Help & Hope” to those to discuss prevention measures and resources with the community. Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) is also an integral part of suicide prevention.
Community services and supports has over 30 programs including housing, transportation, and linguistic services for all ages. Programs and targets include helping children and youth with difficulty functioning in multiple life domains such as school, home and/or the community. Transitional Age Youth (16-25), Adults (26-59), and, Older Adults (60+) all may receive services. These services have contributed to the ongoing transformation of the public mental health system by enhancing existing services. Crisis services have also improved. Developing supportive housing and improving and expanding wrap-around services for children are major goals for the future.
The most current annual update to the 3-Year Program and Expenditure Plan is at: FY 2020-21 MHSA Annual Update. The three-year planning Process will be taking place during the Summer/Fall of 2022. For more information go to: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/calaim.
The program expansion planning for 2021/22 & 2022/23 includes: housing, mentoring, senior homelessness innovation projects, and the launch of mobile mental health. For more information regarding mental health and wellness resources, please visit: https//www.wellnesseverday.org/. To be added to the MHSA distribution list and to become more involved, please send an email to: [email protected].
