National Alliance on Mental Illness, California State Organization 

Two Quiet Blasts of the Good-News Trumpet

by Roger Greenbaum 

This first column of the 2013-14 school year is for sharing with Newsletter readers two recent developments which hold significance for students of all ages.

 

One of the two items will have immediate impact. It shapes the way parents and school districts handle "independent educational evaluations", one of the key tools provided by federal law to promote well-informed decisions by teams of parents and educators working out programs for students with special needs of all kinds. That includes educational needs which stem from mental health issues.

 

The second of the two developments may take somewhat longer to be felt: prize awards for scientific discoveries holding the promise of advances in understanding of severe mental illnesses, disorders which have up to now largely proved elusive. But both these developments are good ones.

 

Read the complete column at NAMI California.

Chances are, you know someone who has been a victim of cyberbullying. California is first in the nation in cyberbullying, according to The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Washington round out the "five-worst" list. Recent findings by Health and Human Services suggest that 52% of all students today have experienced cyberbullying at least once. Some 20% of online teens endure cyberbullying on a routine basis.

In this NAMI California exclusive, we present ways for parents to address cyberbullying in their household and how to discover if your child is a bully, a victim, or both.

Read the story.

NAMI Legislative Update

NAMI California is gearing up for a big year of legislative advocacy in 2014, as we've recently hired a Legislation and Policy Director who will represent us in the State Capitol. This new position will allow us to keep the pressure on your representatives to consider consumers and family members in all of their decision-making.

This year, three pieces of legislation supported by NAMI California were signed by the Governor, though not all in their strongest form:

Senate Bill 330, by Senator Alex Padilla (Pacoima), requires the Instruction Quality Commission (IQC), during the next revision of the health curriculum framework, to consider developing and recommending a distinct category on mental health instruction.

NAMI California supported an earlier version of this bill that would have required that health curriculum include one hour of mental health education for all students.

Senate Bill 364, by Senator Darrell Steinberg (Sacramento), revises the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act related to 72-hour involuntary detention for mental health evaluation and treatment, so-called "5150 holds."  Key provisions of this bill: 1) Broaden the types of facilities counties may designate for purposes of 72-hour evaluation and treatment; and 2) Authorize the county mental health director to develop procedures for the county's designation and training of professionals who will be designated to perform functions under Section 5150.

NAMI California was an early supporter of this bill, but became concerned after some critical amendments were made. We advocated for changes to the language that were amended into the bill by Senator Steinberg in response to our efforts.

Senate Bill 585, also by Senator Steinberg, clarifies that mental health services provided under Laura's Law may be provided pursuant to procedures specified in the Mental Health Services Act, as well as by other local funds.

Anti-Stigma Arts Network Project

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) California is involved in a special project  called the CalMHSA Anti-Stigma Arts Network Project.  The Arts Network Project is designed to promote anti-stigma and discrimination messages regarding mental illness through various forms of art (including: visual, performing, decorative, written, spoken, etc.). The goal of the project is to promote a better understanding of stigma and recovery, while advocating the use of creative expression as a healing tool.

Included in this project is a total of three In Our Own Voice (IOOV) Presenter Trainings.  IOOV is one of NAMI's Signature Programs, which offers insight into the recovery possible for people living with mental illness. An IOOV presentation is delivered by two trained speakers, and they share their personal stories of living with a mental illness and their journey to achieving wellness and recovery. 

The first presenter training for this project is scheduled to take place on November 23-24, 2013 in Campbell, CA. We are currently seeking individuals (18 years and older) with lived experience and utilize creative expression as a tool for maintaining wellness and recovery, to participate in the training. The training is absolutely free of charge, meals will be provided and/or costs will be reimbursed for all attendees, and travel and lodging expenses will be covered for eligible participants. 

Advantages of becoming an IOOV presenter include:

• Provide encouragement and hope to individuals and/or family members experiencing the effects of mental illness
• Helping to inspire and motivate others
• Develop and/or enhance leadership and public speaking skills
• Networking opportunities
• All presenters are paid a stipend for each presentation given

If you or someone that you know might be interested in participating in this upcoming training, please contact Veronica J. Delgado, Community Engagement Coordinator at veronica.delgado@namicalifornia.org or (916) 567-0163 to request an application.

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NAMI California Staff Corner

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