1 Prevention & Early Intervention – Early Start Stigma & Discrimination Workgroup Proposal Debbie Innes-Gomberg and Eduardo Vega Delegates Stakeholders Meeting November 7, 2008

2 Stigma/Stain, Attitudes “Stigma is the most formidable obstacle to progress in the arena of mental illness and health.” United States Surgeon General’s Office (1999)

3 Who is affected by Stigma & Discrimination?  People– consumers, MH professionals  Families/communities-blame game  Society Prejudice limits potential- Eagleton/Lincoln  The World Mental illness is leading cause of disability around the world Suicide among the most prevalent preventable cause of death

4 Changing Minds Can attitudes/stigma be changed? Yes Individually “one mind at a time” Social programs with leadership Exposure to alternatives/success Media through advocacy Self-stigma

5 Changing Minds Can attitudes/stigma be changed? Possibly Public policy through advocacy Disability rights protections/legislation Parity laws for treatment Rehabilitation services MH systems/professionals (exposure to recovery

6 Changing Minds – What Works? 3 major Strategies to reduce stigma (Corrigan studies ) Protest– some short-term success Education– (including media) mixed Contact– most successful

7 Mental Health Services Act Oversight and Accountability Commission Stigma & Discrimination Workgroup Report Recommendations include working at 3 levels: Individual and families Systems Communities

8 LA County Proposal  Client-Focused Strategies – Reducing stigma through community education, outreach, empowerment and advocacy.  Family Support & Education Strategies – Family members providing education and support to the public, providers and other family members.  Community Advocacy- Reducing stigma & discrimination through community directed advocacy.

9 Funding  Total funding available: $2.88 million  Each allocation is inclusive of an evaluation component, not to exceed 5% of the particular component.

10 Client-Focused Strategies 37% $1,065,600 Involving stigma reduction through consumer contact including community education, outreach, empowerment and advocacy such as:  Consumer speakers bureaus for Under-Represented Ethnic Populations (UREP) inclusive of priority population groups  Dialogue with first responders  Stigma reducing conferences  Peer advocate addition to Service Area Navigation Teams  Peer support for LGBTQI TAY and adults  School education, awareness and anti-stigma campaigns on mental illness and LGBTQI populations, K-college

11 Family Support & Education Strategies 26% $748,800 Family members providing education and support to the public, providers and other family members across different cultures and languages.  Anti-stigma educational materials and services  Family education and support  In-services and educational campaigns on-site at schools  Foster family and custody retention education and support

12 Community Advocacy Strategies 37% $1,065,600 Stigma-reduction and anti-discrimination advocacy strategies focused and driven by the larger community which are not performed exclusively by clients or family members.  Developing culturally effective strategies for community education and stigma-reduction in Under-Represented Ethnic Populations (UREP)  Anti-not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) projects related to siting of mental health services and supports  Recovery/mental health transformation awareness and documentation  Local media-related activities, including media dialogue and intervention that compliment statewide media efforts  Establishing policies and procedures related to stigma

13 Thank You for Your Attention