“Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all.”  ~Bill Clinton

As a follow-up to my column of April 20^th I was recently honored to be asked back by the Mental Wellness Center of Santa Barbara to further explore the breadth of programming they offer, which are provided completely free of charge, to those in the community, and their families, with mental health needs.  These services are available to those who need them, regardless of who their provider of mental health care, public or private, might be.  A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, the Mental Wellness Center (formerly Mental Health Association of Santa Barbara) was organized in 1947 by a group of citizen volunteers in response to local mental health needs, with an original focus on public education and advocacy on behalf of adults in our community living with mental illness.  Sixty-five years later that goal remains.  Education, the focus of today’s column, continues to be a primary tenet of their mission as they strive to eradicate stigma by providing factual informational programs to school children, faith and civic groups, as well as community organizations.

My recent interview was with three very impressive individuals fully committed to the work of the Mental Wellness Center:  Ann Lippincott, Board Chair and chair of their Education Committee; Annmarie Cameron, Chief Executive Officer; and, George Kaufmann, Board member and member of the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) steering committee.

Dr. Miller:   What are the overriding goals of the Mental Wellness Center?

Ms. Lippincott:   The by-line of the Mental Center Wellness is: Recovery – Education – Family Services.  These are interdependent. Education, for example, is a necessary component of recovery.  Education is also an important support for families who have a loved one with a mental health diagnosis.

Dr. Miller:   When we first met several weeks ago we discussed the issue of recovery and the Mental Wellness Center recovery services for individuals living with mental health disorders and their families.  Please tell the Healthy Mind – Healthy Future readers your thoughts as to why mental health education is important, and is such a critical component of recovery?

Ms. Lippincott:   One of the most important functions of education is to dispel the negative stigma so often associated with mental health disorders.  Research suggests that negative attitudes toward individuals with mental illness are developed as early as kindergarten and remain into adolescence, and that that there exists among school age youth a high level of stigma that is often associated with exclusion of peers who are thought to have mental illness.  These negative associations tend to carry forward into adulthood.  They can even manifest in public policy, yet another aspect of our educational outreach. People tend to be afraid of what they don’t understand.  Accurate information can address the myths and therefore assuage the fear.  We also hope that through education people can begin to realize that mental health disorders are treatable, and that recovery is possible.

Dr. Miller:   What education programs are available through the Mental Wellness Center?

Ms. Lippincott:   We offer Mental Health Matters for 6^th grade students in the Santa Barbara area.  We are also in the process of developing a Mental Health Matters Education Portal for online learning.  The target audience for this online educational opportunity includes students in middle school, junior high school and high school, as well as the parents of the 6^th graders who complete the in-class Mental Health Matters program.  Additionally, we offer a 12-week course for family members who have a loved one with a mental health diagnosis.  This course, Family-to-Family, is under the auspices of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).  We also offer a 12-hour Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course for the general public.  Finally, we are involved in public policy advocacy, yet another form of education.

Dr. Miller:   I would like to more deeply explore each of these programs.  Please tell me more about the 6^th grade Mental Health Matters course.

Ms. Lippincott:   Mental Health Matters is an innovative curricular unit that is specifically designed for students who are approaching adolescence, whereby they learn basic facts about mental wellness.  The instruction, typically consisting of five 45-minute lessons, is highly interactive and employs a variety of teaching and learning modalities. The Mental Health Matters teaching team is composed of volunteers who have been involved in the development of the curriculum.  Some volunteers on the teaching team are people who themselves live with mental health disorders.  Most have family members with a mental health diagnosis.  Several are credentialed teachers as well as UCSB and Antioch-Santa Barbara teacher educators.   The California Education Standards for Health include mental, emotional and social health, yet these topics are absent from most elementary, middle and high school curricula and textbooks.  Mental Health Matters fills a significant gap in students’ education and provides a foundation for their own mental health. Students learn about symptoms of mental health disorders, and that there are treatments available.  Research suggests that by 5^th grade students are able to conceptualize mental illness in a more sophisticated manner.  This suggests that middle school is a developmentally opportune time to provide psycho-education and in doing so help to decrease stigma.  6^th graders are developmentally ready and able to begin to understand complex issues.  Also, we know that people who may have a pre-disposition to the possibility of developing a mental health disorder tend to be most vulnerable during major life transitions.  6th graders are about to leave the safe and predictable elementary school setting and launch into what, for some, can be the daunting proposition of middle school where they have 6-7 different teachers each day.  We want them to understand that mental health disorders are nothing to be ashamed of and that help is available. It is also our hope that they will treat people who may be experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder with empathy and understanding.

Dr. Miller:   What about the NAMI Family-to-Family course?

 Ms. Lippincott:   Family-to-Family is a 12-week course that we offer free-of-charge.  It is under the auspices of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).  Taught by family members for family members the curriculum helps families of people living with mental health disorders to better understand the disorders, their treatment, resources available for both them and their ill relative, and how to best relate to their relative while practicing healthy self-care.  Each time we teach one of these classes we inevitably have people tell us how much they appreciate knowing that they are not alone and that there is hope for them and their ill family member.

Ms. Cameron:   I would like to add that Family-to-Family gives voice to people who have experienced recovery, thereby providing hope to others. It is much like cancer survivors providing support for someone newly diagnosed.

Dr. Miller:   Tell me about Mental Health First Aid.  How is this different from Family-to-Family?

Ms. Cameron:   Mental Health First Aid is a 12-hour curriculum that addresses the discomfort and concerns people often have when they encounter fellow citizens on the street who may be exhibiting symptoms of a mental health disorder.  Participants learn about symptoms of a variety of mental health disorders.  They also learn appropriate responses, should they encounter a colleague, a friend, a loved one, or even a stranger who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aid has significant implications for employers as well. Research shows that for every dollar invested in mental health education, there is a return of $3-$4.  Demographically, mental health disorders affect every segment of our society: children and adults, veterans, every socio-economic-status, etc. It affects us all.

Dr. Miller:   Why should the average citizen be interested in becoming educated about mental health disorders?  I’m thinking of people who may not be directly affected by mental health disorders in a family member or close friend.

Ms. Cameron:   1 in 4 families are affected by mental illness, so even if you are not dealing with a mental health disorder in your immediate family, chances are you know people who are. Through education people begin to understand what recovery can look like and that family and friends can play key roles in supporting recovery.  People who take the Mental Health First Aid course tend to be genuinely surprised to learn that mental health disorders are treatable, dispelling the many myths and misunderstandings.

Dr. Miller:   Tell me more about your mental health advocacy.

Mr. Kaufmann:   There is one other important activity that I suppose might be considered educational, and that’s our public policy effort.  Our affiliation with both NAMI and Mental Health America (MHA) provides us with a plethora of information about all national and state issues and legislation concerning mental health.  We use this information in our dialogue with local representatives to both the California and U.S. legislatures in helping them understand the importance of supporting legislation to help support and improve services for people living with mental health issues and their families.  Through our NAMI program at the Mental Wellness Center we also have access to many mental health services recipients and their families who help us identify issues needing attention right here in Santa Barbara County.  Many of these clients and family members have firsthand experience with county mental health services and are energetic advocates who help us craft and articulate positions on key local mental health issues.

Dr. Miller:   What are some examples of issues on which you’ve taken advocacy positions to influence public policy?

Mr. Kaufmann:   At the federal level, one of the best examples is the Mental Health Parity and Substance Abuse Equity Act that went into effect in 2010.  As a result of grass roots advocacy by local NAMI and MHA affiliates and more formal lobbying by our two national organizations, group health plans covering more than 50 employees and offering mental health coverage may no longer offer more restrictive coverage for mental health disorders than for other conditions.  At the state level, in 2004, we helped NAMI California and MHA in California to secure passage of the Mental Health Services Act which has provided additional funding for county mental health systems across California.  We’re very proud that our local efforts helped this proposition win here in Santa Barbara County.  Regarding county level advocacy, our current efforts are directed at monitoring and participating in the restructuring effort, which our Board of Supervisors has recently approved, to improve services in our County Department of Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services.  Members of our local NAMI presented specific recommendations for how the county should proceed with this process at a Board of Supervisors Meeting just last month.  Historically, the national tagline for NAMI has been: The Nation’s Voice on Mental Illness.  Because our members are families living with mental health disorders every day we believe we are “Santa Barbara’s Voice” on mental illness and Mental Wellness.

The Mental Wellness Center offers a broad array of services, and provides vital information, to individuals and families affected by mental illness.  If you are such a person or family member I encourage you to contact them.  The Mental Wellness Center is located at 617 Garden Street here in Santa Barbara.  For further information about the Center go to www.mentalwellnesscenter.org or call (805) 884-8440.