Weekly Wrap-Up
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Announcements

Mental Health Matters Day T-Shirt Contest Results

W e are excited to announce our Mental Health Matters Day, T-shirt design contest winners! In coordination with Monica Nepomuceno at the California Department of Education, we sent out a notice asking for students to submit artwork for a commemorative t-shirt to be sold online as a fundraiser for the event. The students were asked to incorporate the lime green mental health ribbon and the theme for this year - '2020 Vision: Hope, Change, Action'. We received 87 entries from across the state!
 
 
Gold Level (1st) Place Winner
Bridget B. with Mission Vista High School in Oceanside


 
Silver Level (2nd) Place Winner 
Michelle V. with Mission Vista High School in Oceanside
 
Bronze Level (3rd) Place Winner
Alexandra C. with Korematsu Middle School in El Cerrito



 
 
DHCS' Behavioral Health Organizational Change 

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) recently completed a departmental reorganization of our Behavioral Health (formerly known as Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder) functions. Specifically, as of July 1, 2019, the divisions under the former Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services, now known as Behavioral Health, reorganized and formed new divisions: Community Services and Licensing and Certification (under Behavioral Health); Medi-Cal Behavioral Health (under Health Care Programs); and Local Governmental Financing (under Health Care Programs' Health Care Financing). The purpose of the reorganization was to preserve the unique policy/program area of Behavioral Health while better integrating it with the Department's overall health care system to improve outcomes and increase efficiencies department-wide.
 
Over the last few months, as we've worked to advance the Administration's bold agenda to address complex social services problems such as homelessness with significant initiatives and investments in Medi-Cal Healthier California for All and Behavioral Health, it has become clear that additional organizational integration of DHCS' Behavioral Health functions would simplify departmental operations and improve programmatic outcomes.
 
Therefore, effective immediately, Behavioral Health Deputy Director Kelly Pfeifer will report to Chief Deputy Director for Health Care Programs and State Medicaid Director Jacey Cooper.
 
Additionally, the Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Division will move under Behavioral Health. Behavioral Health's Community Services Division and Licensing and Certification Division will continue to report to Dr. Pfeifer. These changes bring all behavioral health program functions together in support of our efforts to fully integrate the critical services they support into the larger health care system.
 
Together, we will build a healthy California for all.




Gender Violence among Latinas: Key Concepts and Cultural Considerations
 
This booklet provides mental health clinicians an understanding of the main factors that influence Latina's vulnerability to experience gender-based violence. It also includes clinical recommendations for mental health providers and organizations.
 
This product explains the impact of gender and domestic violence among Hispanic and Latinas, describes the difference between domestic violence and intimate partner violence, and how cultural values like marianismo and machismo embedded in Hispanic and Latino populations could exacerbate differences in the role between males and females. Many Latinas may confront struggles regarding power balances due to their gender, and factors like immigration, anti-immigrant environments, low income, and cultural values might influence this.
 



For Senior Citizens, a Laptop Becomes a Lifeline
 
Hantke and Lajoy's research confirms other findings that suggest telemedicine can offer quality and convenience to vulnerable populations like rural seniors, says Dr. Arpan Waghray, a geriatric psychiatrist and system director for behavioral medicine at Swedish Health Services and the chief medical officer of Well Being Trust.
 



CCJBH Annual Report
 
The Council on Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health has release its 18th Annual Legislative Report
 

Research Study


Depression, Repeated Doses of Ketamine, and Neuroimaging

Join a Research Study: Enrolling nationally from around the country
To find out if you qualify,  email NIMH or call 1-877-646-3644 (1-877-MIND-NIH) [TTY: 1-866-411-1010].

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rapid and sustained antidepressant effects of repeated doses of ketamine in the brain. We want to learn how ketamine affects areas of the brain important in regulating mood and if there are unique signatures that could help predict who may respond to the drug. Also, we want to see if repeated doses of ketamine are safe and effective in treating the symptoms of depression.


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