Right Column
Archived In the news articles from MHSOAC Homepage
Commissioner Eduardo Vega speaks with BBC News in article “How offensive is the word lunatic?”
Stanislaus County Promotes Mental Health
On April 25, 2012, The Modesto Bee printed an article entitled “County Promotes Mental Health.”
“A countywide campaign is being launched to help make people of all ages, income levels and ethnic groups more aware of mental health risks and the many services and strategies available to help people stay or become mentally healthy.”
Read the full article at: http://www.modbee.com/2012/04/25/v-print/2173965/county-promotes-mental-health.html
Read Commissioner Tina Wooton's Testimony before the Select Committee on Disabilities, California State Assembly, February 23, 2012.
Read Commission Chair, Dr. Larry Poaster's Op-ed printed in The Modesto Bee, on January 24, 2012 entitled ?Proposition 63 Services Reach Seriously Mentally Ill in Stanislaus.?
Read Commission Chair, Dr. Larry Poaster's Op-ed printed in Capitol Weeklyon January 24, 2012, entitled "Proposition 63 has cut homelessness, arrests, psychiatric hospitalizations."
Read Commissioner Eduardo Vega's guest column in the US Department of Health and Human Services e-newsletter, entitled “Self-Determination and Responsibility in Transformation”.
UCLA Evaluation Finds Prop 63 Mental Health Program Associated With Reductions in Homelessness, Hospitalizations, Arrests and Incarcerations
On May 26, 2011, researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) presented findings on the first evaluation of statewide impacts regarding the positive outcomes associated with participation in Proposition 63 Community Services and Supports (CSS) programs to the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC). The report shows that participation in CSS programs is strongly associated with substantial reductions in homelessness and acute psychiatric hospitalizations. The UCLA findings also show participation in CSS programs is associated with reductions in arrests and incarcerations for most age groups. The UCLA report can be found here.
A Different Story on Mental Health (Community Voices)
What would make 150 people wearing “Stigma Stops With Me” t-shirts walk around a sprawling park early Saturday morning? Mental health.
Jenee Darden in Oakland Local - October 18, 2011
Capitol Weekly Prints Article Entitled “Prop 63 Critics Miss the Mark Entirely”
On September 1, 2011, the Capitol Weekly printed a response entitled, "Prop 63 Critics Miss the Mark Entirely," authored by Dr. Marvin Southard, Director of Los Angeles County Dept. of Mental Health. This is in response to the Capitol Weekly Op-ed from August 25, 2011 about the Mental Health Services Act. Dr. Southard’s Op-ed can be found at:
http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?xid=zyn368dlkm1vws&done
LA County MHSA Full Service Partnership Program Receives Challenge Award
For innovation and creativity from the California State Association of Counties. For text on this award go to:http://www.csac.counties.org/
California Mental Health Services Authority Awards Suicide Prevention Contracts
On May 10, 2011, the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), a joint powers authority (JPA) of counties, announced it will begin contract negotiations for suicide prevention services with ten approved providers. These contract awards are the first phase of Mental Health Services Act Statewide Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Projects.
In January, 2011, the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) approved over $123 million for PEI Statewide Projects to promote mental health. This $123 million was designated for statewide projects to prevent suicides, improve student mental health, and reduce the stigma of mental health. In May, 2011, CalMHSA is allocating over $23 million for the Statewide Suicide Prevention Project. CalMHSA and Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (co-author of the Mental Health Services Act) have issued press releases on the allocation of suicide prevention contracts by CalMHSA. These press releases are available below.
Press Release: CalMHSA Awards Suicide Prevention Contracts
Press Release: Steinberg Applauds Awarding of Prop 63 Suicide Prevention Funds
State Task Force Seeks to Improve Ways to Handle Mental Health Cases in Criminal Justice System – report to the Judicial Council of California.
See Judicial Council Press Release athttp://www.courts.ca.gov/xbcr/cc/nr13-11.pdf. See full report at www.courts.ca.gov/xbcr/cc/20110429itemo.pdf.
PBS Airs Story Entitled "California Program Stresses Early Detection, Treatment of Mental Illness"
On February 9th, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) NewsHour television show broadcast a story about a San Francisco teenager who had his mental illness identified early and who has had success with treatment. Proposition 63 is highlighted as the funding source for the Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) program and mental health advocate, Rusty Selix, is interviewed in the story.
Click here to view the story or read the transcript on the PBS website
Click the link below to read PBS reporter Spencer Michels' blog on this mental health issue and to view more footage on the San Francisco teenager:
Spencer Michel’s Blog on the issue and additional footage
Federal Health Reform and State Law Challenges: Impact on Mental Health
Article published in the California Watch on February 16, 2011 addresses the benefits of federal health reform for mental health and the challenges that remain from state law. Article: Federal reform would bolster mental health care but challenges remain
CNN-KSRO RADIO INTERVIEW:
What is the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) doing that might prevent a mental health crisis of the kind that occurred in Arizona?
Posted 01/14/2011
Please listen to CNN-KSRO Radio News Interview for Friday, January 14, 2011, featuring MHSOAC Commissioner Chair Dr. Larry Poaster and MHSOAC Consulting Psychologist Dr. Deborah Lee. They shared what the MHSA is doing to provide prevention and early intervention mental health services to avert a crisis like the one in Arizona. These services assist individuals, their families and communities in recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental illness.
CNN-KSRO Radio Interview 
(mp3)
