Weekly Wrap-Up
April 30, 2021
Announcements

Special Thanks - AB 988

Thank you for your ongoing support of Assembly Bill 988 (Bauer-Kahan) This bill would establish the 988 Crisis Hotline Center, using the digits “988” in compliance with existing federal law and standards governing the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Continued support is need until we cross the finish line.



Big Day of Giving is May 6th


With the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, our work has taken on an urgency greater than ever before. The effects of social isolation, especially among adolescents and the elderly, have been devastating. Uncertainty regarding the economic
downturn and job loss is leading to increased depression, anxiety, distress, and low self-esteem and may lead to higher rates of substance use disorder and suicide.

With your support, MHAC continues to advance its mission of advocacy, public education, and programmatic services related to mental health to ensure that all people who require mental health services are able to receive the services they need, and are not denied any other benefits, services, rights or opportunities based on their need for mental health services.

This work could not continue without you. Thank you again for your generous support.

Sincerely,

Heidi Strunk
President and CEO
Mental Health America of California
Mental Health, Equity Should Be Schools’
Focus as Students Return, Report Says

The first six weeks back on campus should be devoted to student and teacher well-being, according to a new report.

To help students readjust to life after the pandemic, schools should use their Covid-relief funding windfall to imbue mental health, equity and relationships into every aspect of the school day, according to a sweeping new report released Thursday.
Immigration Status is a Gatekeeper to Mental Health Support A Clinic is Changing That

La Familia Counseling Center offers mental health services, Covid-19 vaccination services, and other community resources for patients.

From managing expenses to finding the right provider, getting mental health care can be challenging, no matter who you are. But for people with undocumented immigration status, the challenges are even greater.
As the Homeless Population Grows,
Experts See Rise in Mental Health Cases

On Tuesday, Kern Behavioral Health stood before the Kern County Board of Supervisors to speak on efforts that have been taken to address the homeless population locally. They also discussed the rise in the number of people on the streets and the mental health issues that continue to follow.

It's important to note that not all those experiencing homelessness are living with a mental illness. However, local organizations say that they continue to see a rise in mental health cases on the streets and that is a cause of several different factors.
California’s Big City Mayors Boldly Ask State Leaders for Record Level Funds to End Homelessnes

Historic $4 Billion per year, multi-year state investment would become the largest allocation of funds in the country
 
The Big City Mayors (BCM), a coalition of the mayors from California’s 13 largest cities, came together virtually today to ask the Governor and Legislative Leadership to include a historic $4 billion per year, multi-year investment, for a total of $20 billion, in the state budget to permanently house nearly every Californian who entered a homeless shelter in 2020. With the combination of the $26 billion California received from the American Rescue Plan, and the state’s record surplus, the coalition sees a unique opportunity to measurably impact the homelessness crisis in California.
Events

Registration Now Open
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Join us virtually for the 3rd annual Advancing Mental Health Policy: BetterTogether Forum, a live, interactive event convening policymakers, thought leaders and experts from across the mental health community to explore innovations and policy solutions that strengthen access to care for people living with serious mental illness.


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