If you are facing a crisis, call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to, ask your health care provider.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers peer support, answers questions and provides practical resources and next steps at 1-800-950-6264 or you can text “Helpline” to 62640. It is designed for people living with a mental health condition, their loved ones and caregivers.
Panelists:
- Toby Ewing, Ph. D, Executive Director, Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission
- Elan Shultz, Chief of Strategy and Policy, LA County Department of Mental Health
- Sylvia Gil, San Gabriel Valley Operations Manager, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Greater Los Angeles County
- Eliana Lopez, Operations Assistant, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Greater Los Angeles County
Quick Links for our panelists:
Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission
Proposition 63, approved by California voters in 2004, created the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission to drive transformational change across the state’s mental health system. The Commission oversees the implementation of the far-reaching initiative, which imposed a 1 percent income tax on wealthy residents to pay for mental health services and established a framework for continuous improvement of mental healthcare in the state. Partnering with public and private mental health agencies at all levels, the Commission works to ensure that people get the care they need in a timely, comprehensive, effective, and culturally competent manner. In everything, it vigorously promotes community collaboration.
LA County Department of Mental Health
The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH), with a budget of approaching $3 billion, is the largest county-operated mental health department in the United States, directly operating programs in more than 85 sites, and providing services through contract programs and LACDMH staff at approximately 300 sites co-located with other County departments, schools, courts and various organizations. Each year, the County contracts with close to 1,000 organizations and individual practitioners to provide a variety of mental health-related services. On average, more than 250,000 County residents of all ages are served every year.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Greater Los Angeles County
NAMI GLAC is the leading county-wide organization composed of grassroots-based chapters that promote wellness, recovery, equality, and dignity for individuals and families affected by mental illness and the community at large. They work to provide leadership in advocacy, education, support, and public awareness throughout Los Angeles County. Mental illness can be treated, and people living with mental illness can recover to live fulfilling lives.
Additional Quick Links:
NAMI San Gabriel Valley, An Affiliate of Greater Los Angeles County
Office Email: sgvnami@pacificclinics.org
Office Phone: 626-577-6697
Understanding Proposition 1: Implications for Californians and the State’s Behavioral Health System