According to national studies,
approximately 8.55% of the population experience mental illness. The 2004 Community Health
Assessment for Siskiyou County sponsored by Catholic Healthcare West indicates that 12.8%
of adults in Siskiyou County have been diagnosed with major depression and 27.3% of
residents report two or more years of depression. Suicide deaths are the equivalent of
19.5 per 100,000 compared to 9.5 in all of California.
Last November, California voters passed Proposition 63 to levy a one
percent surcharge on millionaires in order to fund expanded mental health services for the
uninsured and the underinsured. One of the goals of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA)
is to increase access to services, particularly in rural areas. Siskiyou County has given
its stamp of approval to an outreach plan to gather input from communities to identify
local needs and opportunities. The plan must be ready by July 2005.
A needs assessment will be facilitated by the 10 county Family
Resource Centers (FRCs) as part of the planning. A Siskiyou County Mental Health Services
Act (SCMHSA) Task Force has been created. This includes broad community representation of
consumers and family, County departments, tribal representatives, commissions and
community organizations. Their recommendations will be reviewed by the Community Services
Council (CSC) and the Behavioral Health Services Board. Finally, the plan will be
presented for approval to the Board of Supervisors before being submitted to the State.
The approach will include additional education and training for
County staff. It will also provide educational, employment and housing opportunities for
consumers.
It is intended that the (MHSA) involve consumers, family
members and community in designing an approach that will: (1) connect currently fragmented
parts of the mental health system, including the use of public/private partnerships; (2)
introduce strategies for prevention and early intervention; (3) introduce “service
models” that promote recovery and self-help; (4) reduce stigma – negative
perceptions of mental illness; and (5) enhance technology, facilities and other resources.
The State of California has mandated that first year MHSA
funding be spent on planning, education/training, facilities and technology. In 2006-2008,
funding will emphasize prevention and early intervention as well as services to children,
youth, “transition age” youth, adults and older aged adults. Emphasizing
accountability through measurable positive outcomes, the State will look for innovative
programs that increase access for “underserved” groups; the quality of services
and improved outcomes from services; and interagency collaboration. Prevention and early
intervention will focus on reducing suicide, incarcerations, school failure or dropout,
unemployment, homelessness and removal of children from their homes.
Please get involved by providing your input and helping to
design community programs to address local needs. Contact your local Family Resource Center
for more information (Numbers are listed on the first page of the Siskiyou County
Connection phone book. Scott Valley is 468-2450, Happy Camp is 493-5117 and Yreka is
842-1313.) |
