Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission

Modoc County: Join our partner California Association of Mental Health Peer Run Organizations for a free virtual LEAD Summit June 8 and 9! Register now: https://camhpro.org/lead-summit/

We held a listening session with Latinx community members and advocates to hear how we can help. Read more: https://mhsoac.ca.gov//20-MHS-1900%20OAC%20Listening%20Sum

Our partner Art With Impact is excited to host Sanctuary Space, a series of community events where folks gather online to explore connections between art and mental health! Join them for "Soul Care for the AAPI Community" on June 4 where mental fitness advocate Lauren Salazar will lead a discussion to empower the AAPI community through a reflection of their strengths to begin healing racial trauma, bolster their mental fitness, and explore tangible acts of self-care in order to walk away with some sense of release. Register now: http://bit.ly/soul-care-ss

Many veterans struggle with unmet mental health needs. That’s why we support programs like Veterans Art Project. #MentalHealthMonth

A better future can be ahead for our vulnerable youth. Read the Trevor Project’s entire report on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health here: https://www.thetrevorproject.org//The-Trevor-Project-Natio... Support for people at risk for suicide or those supporting people at risk is available by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or texting TALK to 741741. #MentalHealthMonth

Did you know about this serious and unaddressed mental health crisis? Our plan for transforming mental health in California’s K-12 schools is not only filled with eye-opening findings such as this, but ways that we can lessen these crises going forward. Read Every Young Heart and Mind: Schools as Centers of Wellness. In it, we explore new ways to bring healing to our students, families, and schools in 2021 and beyond.... Read more: https://mhsoac.ca.gov//schools_as_centers_of_wellness_fina #california #mentalhealthadvocates #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthmatters

How are young people finding ways to cope with disappointments and tangible setbacks brought on by COVID? How are teens taking care of their well-being during the pandemic? Join Well Beings, Call to Mind, Colorado Public Radio, and American Public Media on Thursday (1/28) at 3pm PST for a virtual discussion with and for teens navigating missed moments throughout the pandemic. Register at the link to take part in this insightful event.... https://wellbeings.org/cpr/ #WellBeings #WellBeingsLive #california #mentalhealthadvocates #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthmatters

Attention students and young writers Our partners Art With Impact are launching a free poetry-based workshop! The first of these virtual workshops (Friday 1/29, 11am-12:30pm) will focus on how we think about masculinity. Check the link or DM @ArtWithImpact to register...They have 30 spots available, so act fast! http://bit.ly/awi-p4mh-m1... #artandmentalhealth #mentalhealth #onlinecommunity #wellness #poetry #exclusive #students #california #mentalhealthadvocates #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthmatters

Strong words from Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen. They serve as a reminder to take time for yourself. Thank you to our partners Art With Impact for posting this reminder Art can be so healing...Whether it’s doodling, painting or dancing like no one is watching, a creative outlet is important to caring for your mental health -- especially during these difficult times. #artandmentalhealth #mentalhealth #onlinecommunity #wellnessjourney #wellness #community #healing #california #mentalhealthadvocates #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthmatters

Still hoping to expand what you know about preventing youth suicide? Look no further than NAMI California’s first Town Hall of 2021 on Thursday (1/21) at 1pm. Featuring the insights of special guest Graham Wiseman of Beingwellca.org -- an organization dedicated to improving mental health in California’s schools. Register at the link and join the conversation! https://zoom.us//regi/tJcvdOmqqzwoGNNJ_YIsMvr7gcuPvvxZLInb

You are a forward-thinking advocate for mental health. Nov. 10 is your time to come together with a like-minded group to create hope, change and action during Mental Health Matters Day. This virtual event will feature a diverse lineup of speakers who work everyday to move the conversation surrounding mental health forward. This event will be a powerful reminder that our voice is stronger when we come together to end the stigma against mental health. Be sure to register toda...y. https://mhmd2020.vfairs.com/

Calling all youth in Shasta, Trinity, Tehama and surrounding counties! Be a champion for mental health in your community. We need your innovative ideas as the next generation of mental health advocates during California’s next Youth Innovation Idea Lab on Nov. 12 & 13! This collaborative virtual event aims to create positive change and implement preventative mental health services in schools across the state -- created by you! Shape your future. Sign up today.... https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YouthIdeaLab3 See more

The Zero Suicide Initiative ensures individuals don’t slip through the cracks of a fragmented and distracted healthcare system. The initiative is looking to spark real change in the healthcare system by ensuring doctors are equipped to have conversations about mental health, among other steps forward.

Data plays a key role in helping push forward better methods of suicide prevention. We can look at factors such as high gun ownership and less access to healthcare in rural communities, and with this data we can evaluate local risk factors to create better methods for prevention.

The risk of dying by suicide has been found to increase with age. Though it has an impact on all age groups, it’s still important to bring awareness to the groups that we don’t often think of as being at risk. Continued awareness saves lives. Remember to carry on with the knowledge and hope that we gained during the past month in the conversation surrounding suicide prevention.

Service members are more likely than any other group to die from suicide using a firearm. Creating better access to lethal-means counseling and safety options for veterans will save countless lives. Take the next step. Make the conversation surrounding suicide prevention more effective.

You play a crucial role in suicide prevention. Scroll through these steps to learn how to make a big difference when supporting a loved one at risk.

As one of the first California colleges to officially answer a call to action by Hilinski's Hope and stand with their student athletes to fight the stigma surrounding mental illness, the Commission recognizes Sacramento State Football for their participation in #3Day, kicking off College Football Mental Health Awareness Week (Oct. 3-10). #MentalHealthMatters #HornetFootball

We all play a crucial role in moving the conversation forward about suicide prevention. Awareness is just the starting point. Getting involved in your community’s efforts to develop life-saving interventions is a key step. Remember, your involvement in the conversation shouldn’t end after #SuicidePreventionMonth.

The MHSOAC recognizes and applauds the Governor’s support for establishing an Office of Suicide Prevention, with his signing of AB 2112. We’re also looking at how future initiatives recommended in Striving for Zero will align with the bill, and recognize the importance of a report released this week by the State Auditor about the risk of suicide for youth. https://mhsoac.ca.gov//suicide-prevention-it-s-more-critic

The Commission recognizes One Mind and Garen Staglin for their partnership in addressing the urgent state of workplace mental health and for continuing to bring awareness about mental health to a global platform. https://www.forbes.com//mental-health-in-the-workplace-a-/

Join us in celebration as the Commission’s important work in high-quality data research, analysis and evaluation was honored today with a StateScoop award. The Commission’s Criminal Justice Data Linkage Project won an award in the State IT Innovation of the Year category, recognizing outstanding peer efforts to make a positive impact in government IT and public service.

This is a reminder to check in with those you care about and to check in with yourself. It’s important to seek the proper help when facing mental health challenges. There’s no shame in struggling with mental health. With everything going on, it can be hard to focus on your personal needs, and mental health challenges can easily worsen if left unchecked. Help is within reach. *Statistics courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.