OP-ED IN JAN. 10, 2013, EDITION OF USA TODAY: 'DON'T LINK VIOLENCE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS'

CALIFORNIA LAW THAT ASPIRES TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH RAISES COERCION CONCERNS

On Dec. 26, 2012, "PBS NewsHour" explored Laura’s Law as a preventive law to reduce violent events such as the recent shooting in Connecticut. In this segment (minute 7:45), Rusty Selix states why Laura’s Law works in small rural counties, but not in large counties with robust mental-health systems. In large counties, there is a constant demand for outpatient services, and having a court-ordered process for services is an unnecessary expense to get people involved in treatment. Watch the PBS segment now.

MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF CALIFORNIA RELEASES STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO NEWTOWN SHOOTING

PRESS CONFERENCE IN RESPONSE TO CONNECTICUT SHOOTING

On Dec. 20 California Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg held a press conference to highlight the fact that a proper public-policy response to the Newtown, Conn., shooting must include expanded access to mental health services, especially those modeled after the prevention and early intervention focus of California's Proposition 63 (the tax on millionaires in 2004 to raise $1 billion annually for mental health).

View the press conference on YouTube.

Know the Signs is a statewide suicide prevention social marketing campaign built on three key messages: “Know the signs. Find the words. Reach out.” This campaign is intended to educate Californians how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, how to find the words to have a direct conversation with someone in crisis, and where to find professional help and resources. Visit www.Suicideispreventable.org.

UCLA STUDY SHOWS FEWER INCARCERATIONS, HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND SIGNIFICANT TAXPAYER SAVINGS FROM PROP. 63 MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

NIMH RELEASES VIDEO HIGHLIGHTING SUICIDE-PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Watch the video and read a transcript now.

FIRST-GENERATION VS. SECOND-GENERATION ANTIPSYCHOTICS IN ADULTS: COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS

Few differences of clinical importance for outcomes related to effectiveness were found in a new review of first-generation and second-generation antipsychotic medications for adults with schizophrenia, schizophrenia-related psychoses, or bipolar disorder.

STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION REDUCTION BASELINE SURVEY REPORT RELEASED

This study is funded by county MHSA/Prop. 63 dollars as part of the MHSA Statewide Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Initiatives administered by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA).

Article: U.S. mental health programs little help to Latinos, UC Davis study says

STATEMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA ON SUPREME COURT'S DECISION UPHOLDING AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Yeson63.org Campaign for Mental Health

FREE YOUR MIND PROJECTS RADIO SHOW

The Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission is participating in an hour-long, weekly radio show that highlights Prop 63 and its many success stories (more)

Opinion: Proposition 63 has cut homelessness, arrests, psychiatric hospitalizations

Mental Health Breakdown: Special Report

Governor's Budget - No Surprises

• EPSDT to be Realigned; DMH and ADP go to DHCS
• Tax Increase Initiative to ensure Realignment funding and avoid cuts in Education
• MHSA Revenues forecast for Big Increase in 12-13

CalVet Reintegration Form - All veterans are encouraged to complete and return this form.

AB 3632 to AB 114: Transition of Educationally Related Mental Health Services Q & A. by the California Alliance for Child and Family Services.

Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission's response to the Department of Mental Health's solicitation for input about the future of state administration for public community mental health non-Med-Cal programs and services.

Report from the Legislative Analyst summarizing the 2011 realignment law and gives recommendations.

Capitol Weekly Opinion: Prop. 63 Critics Miss the Mark Entirely.

The Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes released a report, “Housing the Mentally Ill and Chronically Homeless: An Effective Solution, but Counties Need Greater Flexibility.”

A Blueprint for Advocates: Recommended Next Steps to Advance California's Implementation of the Supreme Court's Olmstead Decision, a final report from the Californians for Olmstead project.

Review MHAC’s new report. A comparative analysis of spending by California’s major counties. A new report created by MHAC’s Summer Intern, Dao Nguyen.

2011 Public Safety Realignment: The cornerstone of California’s solution to reduce overcrowding, costs, and recidivism - California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Fact Sheet

New Parity Toolkit Available
The Parity Implementation Coalition, which is made up of Mental Health America and other organizations that worked to win passage of the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, has created a toolkit to aid individuals seeking recovery, their families, providers and advocates understand their new rights and benefits under the law. The toolkit is designed to be a resource on how to better communicate with plans, how to prepare and document information should disputes arise with a health plan over coverage or reimbursement, and how to better understand basic appeals rights and procedures. You can view the toolkit here

Click here to view CSAC's fact sheets about the 1115 Waiver: Overview, Coverage Expansion, Safety Net Care Pool, Delivery System Reform Incentive Pool, and Care Coordination. Additional documents explaining the details of the waiver are also included.

A coalition of Washington, D.C.-based organizations has just released the following document: "Parity Toolkit for Addiction & Mental Health Consumers, Providers & Advocates: Simplifying the Appeals Process: Strategies for Winning Disputes With Your Health Plan." The 60-page report is attached.

The History of Mental Health in California - Rusty Selix Interview

Homeless Housing Costs Study

Online Toolkit Provides Resources on Transitioning from Jail to Community:
The National Institute of Corrections and the Urban Institute have released the "Transition from Jail to Community" (TJC) Implementation Toolkit. This web-based learning resource is designed to guide jurisdictions through implementation of the TJC model. The Toolkit serves as a hands-on resource for users interested in jail re-entry, whether in a criminal justice or community-based organization. Toolkit modules incorporate examples from jurisdictions across the country, tools developed to facilitate implementation in the six current TJC learning sites, resource suggestions, and detailed content. You can access the toolkit online at http://www.urban.org/projects/tjc/toolkit/.