Friday, October 23, 2015

Report: Los Angeles County is Obstructing Aid to Mentally Ill Homeless People

Soooo transportation between the Santa Clarita Valley and the San Fernando Valley constitutes a barrier  for adults who have mental illness to obtain day programs to help them access treatment.  

Barbara B Wilson, LCSW

http://gawker.com/report-los-angeles-county-is-obstructing-aid-to-mental-1737691720

Monday, August 10, 2015

Office for Victims of Crime Organizational Scholarships for Victim/Survivor Professional Development Now Available!

Survivors Helping Survivors
The Institute on Violence, Abuse & Trauma (IVAT) has been awarded organizational scholarships from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC).  These scholarships will support professional development opportunities for crime victims/survivors at the 20th International Summit & Training on Violence, Abuse & Trauma. 
If you have been the victim of a crime and use your experience of survival to assist others, you may qualify for a scholarship to attend the 20th International Summit & Training.  Funds are available to support registration and lodging in San Diego from August 23-26, 2015.

Application Deadline: Friday, August 14, 2015

For more information and to request an application please contact
Teresa Lass tlass@alliant.edu (858)527-1860 x4550


http://www.ivatcenters.org/Documents/2015/International/IVAT%2020th%20Registration%20Booklet-FINAL.pdf 

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Los Angeles News: LA District Attorney releases roadmap for diverting mentally ill from jail

This is an article about Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting in which Dist Attny Jackie Lacy testified along with L.A. County Sheriff Donnelly,  LACDMH Director Marv Southard stating that treating people with mental illness is inappropriate, is extremely expensive, and has the highest rate of recidivism. 


http://www.scpr.org/news/2015/07/22/53263/la-district-attorney-releases-roadmap-for-divertin/

Monday, March 16, 2015

FV Church Hosts 12-week Course for Caregivers

The Family-to-Family Education Program is a series of 12 weekly classes for family members and caregivers of individuals with a mental illness. The trained co-teachers are family members themselves and know what it’s like to have a loved one struggling with one of these brain disorders. The course balances education and skill-training with self care, emotional support and empowerment.
For family members, partners and friends of individuals with:
* Major Depression
* Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)
* Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder
* Borderline Personality Disorder
* Panic Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
* Co-occurring Brain Disorders and Addictive Disorders
* Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

There is no cost to participate in the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program. This class is the first step to help your loved one on the road to recovery.  Sign up today

 fv

Monday, February 16, 2015

California Turns to Private Prison to Address Overcrowding and Medical Care

To address overcrowding and inadequate medical care, California is once again turning to private prisons. This time, however, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is planning to send women to a privately run prison.

Read the full article: http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/24173

July is Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Month - Raising Awareness of Communities of Color

California State Assembly Passes NAMI California Authored Resolution Establishing July as Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Month - Raising Awareness of Communities of Color

On July 3rd, the California State Assembly passed the NAMI California sponsored resolution recognizing July as Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Month. Following the 2008 proclamation from the United States House of Representatives, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was created to raise awareness about severe mental illness in diverse communities of color, while highlighting avenues for wellness and recovery.
The legislation, ACR 163, authored by California State Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, recognizes July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in State of California. Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas is the Chair of the newly established Assembly Select Committee on Mental and Behavioral Health.
Rising in support of the resolution on the Assembly floor were distinguished Assembly members V. Manuel Perez, Majority Leader; Dr. Richard Pan, Chair of the Assembly Health CommitteeSteven Bradford, Chair of the Select Committee on the Status Boys and Men of Color; Bonnie Lowenthal, Commissioner on the Mental Health Oversight and Accountability CommissionMariko Yamada, Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on State Hospitals; and Rob Bonta, speaking on behalf of the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus.

About Bebe Moore Campbell

In addition to being an accomplished author, Ms. Campbell was a founding member of NAMI Urban LA and an advocate for the mentally ill. In 2003 she received NAMI's Outstanding Media Award for Literature for the book, “Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry”, written especially for children, about a young girl who learns how to cope with her mother's bipolar illness. In 2005, her novel “72-Hour Hold” focused on an adult daughter and a family's experience with the onset of mental illness.
 "Stigma is one of the main reasons why people with mental health problems don't seek treatment or take their medication," Campbell said. "People of color, particularly African Americans, feel the stigma more keenly.”

The 2015 NAMIWalks Ventura County is May 5th

What is a NAMIWALK?



Want to Join the Ventura County NAMIWalk?
For more information about this event, please contact: 
Walk Manager Name - Roberta Rodriguez
Walk Manager Email - roberta.rodriguez@namiventura.org
Walk Manager Phone - 805-889-7674


Date: Sat May 02 2015
Distance: 5K
Check-in: 9:00 am
Start Time: 10:00 am
Event starts in: 75 days

Please mail Matching Gifts and Offline Donations to:
NAMI Ventura County

P.O. Box 1613
CamarilloCalifornia 93011