IngentaConnect The transformation of Traditional Mental Health Service Delivery ...

Abstract:

The State of California has transformed the approach and method of delivery of mental health services from misunderstood and not accessible, to as basic a human right as food, shelter, and safety. I believe this policy can be replicated globally for the benefit of all. This article highlights the challenges of immigrant and ethnic populations in our system of care and points out the paradoxical challenges of funding scarcity in California; one of the richest places in the world. The article describes how the passage of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) by California voters created a new funding source, based on a 1% tax over a $1,000,000 income to be designated for use by the State Department of Mental Health. As a result, new and innovative opportunities were generated to transform mental health services delivery to promote human rights and justice in society. Also, the passage of the act created a space for reducing stigma and disparity. Among the many transformations of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) is adopting the principal of “inclusion by design” for the development of an effective workforce to address cultural and linguistic needs of people in all age groups and of diverse ethnic populations. Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) also created the possibility of a healthy and safe environment through Prevention and Early Intervention plans and programs in order to illustrate that health is not the absence of illness. A diagram of Mental Health Services Act illustrates the program's scope including, promoting health and mental health through outreach and engagement on a global level for the entire community, using Prevention and Early Intervention strategies to proactively respond to risk factors, and Community Support Services for severely mentally HE populations. This article also presents the Institute for Multicultural Counseling and Education Services, a multicultural institute specializing in mental health treatment and social services, both in prevention and intervention level for providing services to unserved and underserved ethnic populations in Los Angeles County. The article outlines how the vision, mission and values of the organization has been improved by the transformed method of service delivery and supported economically to expand beyond the traditional method to provide much needed services to diverse ethnic communities.

Keywords: new; innovative; mental health service delivery; cultural diversity; MHSA; PEI

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/09515070902761073

Affiliations: 1: Clinical Psychologist, Diplomat in Behavioral Medicine and Professional Psychotherapy, CEO/Executive Director, Institute for Multicultural Counseling and Education Services, Inc., Los Angeles, CA

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The transformation of Traditional Mental Health Service Delivery in multicultural society in California, USA, that can be replicated globally