What is a Mental Health disorder

...The barriers to reducing stigma and deterring discrimination are lack of information, resources, understanding, interest, and knowledgeable and experienced health care professionals. Stigma must, and can, be exposed and overcome. Prevention and Early Intervention appropriate services and programs can be the best way to prevent mental health disorders and illnesses from getting worse.

....The San Diego County Mental Health Services (Health and Human Services Agency) is conducting public forums to gather community inputs to determine the type of mental health Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) programs needed. The new programs will be funded with approximately $16 million the County will receive annually from the Mental Health Services Prevention and Early Intervention component, which was approved by California voters in 2004. MHSA imposes a 1 percent tax on personal income above $1 million for the expansion of mental health programs statewide. These PEI programs and services will serve individuals that have been exposed to trauma, or are experiencing the onset of serious psychiatric illness, as well as children and youth living in stressed families, at risk of school failure and in danger of entering the juvenile justice system. The State’s PEI guidelines require that a minimum of 51 percent of funding be spent on programs for individuals age 25 and younger.

...Participants in the County’s MHSA PEI Community first forums and roundtables ended on the note of reaffirming that the action of the stakeholders must be taken quickly to work and determine the next best steps to implement the plans made at the roundtables to stop stigma and discrimination against people experiencing mental health problems and disorders. This can be achieved by promoting education and awareness on mental disorders and the resources available to access mental health services and prevention and early intervention programs.

County of San Diego Health and Human Services

The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) emphasizes prevention and early intervention as key for successful outcomes over untreated serious mental health illness. Mental health services are confidential, and are based on the notion that people can and do recover from mental illness. They are available by calling: 1-800- 479- 3339.

>> OVERCOMING THE BARRIERS IN MENTAL HEALTH (PDF)

The content of this publication Overcoming the Barriers in Mental Health 2008 is in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission from MHSA. Citation of the source is appreciated. Overcoming the Barriers in Mental Health 2008 was made with Funding provided by the County of San Diego Mental Health Services , a Department of Health and Human Services.

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