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Mental Health Advocacy: A Team Approach

Mental Health Advocacy: A Team Approach. Leticia Perez, M.S.W. Candidate Maire Mullaly, J.D., MPP Kevin Jervik, Ph.D. Foster Youth Mental Health Initiative. Background Proposal to the California Endowment. Foster Youth Mental Health Initiative . Objective 1

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Mental Health Advocacy: A Team Approach

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  1. Mental Health Advocacy:A Team Approach Leticia Perez, M.S.W. Candidate Maire Mullaly, J.D., MPP Kevin Jervik, Ph.D

  2. Foster Youth Mental Health Initiative • Background • Proposal to the California Endowment

  3. Foster Youth Mental Health Initiative • Objective 1 • Produce a mental health summit report to be disseminated. • Participants of the Summit • Local and State Key Stakeholders • http://www.clcla.org/Mental_Health_Summit_Report_011707.pdf

  4. Foster Youth Mental Health Initiative • Objective 2 • Develop a minimum of three workgroups to implement policy recommendations. • Capacity Building Workgroup • Psychotropic Medication Workgroup • Systemic Reform Policy Workgroup

  5. Foster Youth Mental Health Initiative • Objective 3 • Attorney support • Develop a multi-disciplinary team to consult with CLC attorneys on mental health needs. • Develop training materials that enhance staff’s ability to identify mental health problems. • Advocate for evidence-based services to clients.

  6. Original MHAT Model • Program Director • Clinician • Mental Health Specialist

  7. Expected Outcomes • Improved coordination of mental health services for foster youth. • Increased access to timely and appropriate mental health services. • Improved training of staff to better identify needs.

  8. Lessons Learned • Introduction of Attorney Liaison • Understanding attorney’s knowledge base and supporting their needs • A team approach

  9. Current MHAT Model • Attorney Liaisons • Psychologist • Mental Health Specialist

  10. Lessons Learned • Myths regarding mental illness • Not a life sentence • Diagnosis in context of whole person • Axis II diagnosis • Process of change

  11. Lessons Learned • Privilege and Confidentiality • Secrecy surrounding mental illness • Balancing privacy with “need to know”

  12. Lessons Learned • Mental Health Services • Alternatives to residential care • Individual counseling is not the only effective intervention. • Therapists are people too. • If residential care is used, view it as treatment, not placement.

  13. Lessons Learned • Independent Assessments • Medi-care requires documentation of medical necessity. • Request existing assessments and treatment plans. • Expectations and Outcomes

  14. Lessons Learned • Legal Counsel and Advocacy • Attorneys have a duty to counsel their clients, as well as advocate for them. • Don’t be afraid to talk about mental health issues with clients. • Importance of client buy-in for own treatment plan

  15. Trends in mental health advocacy • Evidence-based practice • What is evidence based practice? • Current state of evidence-based practice • Information about evidence-based practice • http://www.nrepp.samhsa.gov/ • http://www.ffta.org/publications/EBPguideFinalWeb.pdf

  16. Trends in mental-health advocacy • Transitional-Age Youth with Mental Health Problems. • Development does not end at age 18. • Challenges faced by TAY youth with mental health needs • Service Silos • Service Chasms

  17. Trends in mental health advocacy • Special needs of TAY with mental health issues. • Continued mental health support/treatment • Vocational/Educational Development • Possible need of benefits (SSI, Medicaid) • Focus on strengths and individual needs • Integrated Care (e.g. ACT, SOC, TIP)

  18. Trends in mental health advocacy • Resources regarding TAY with mental health needs. • http://www.ncwd-youth.info/information-brief-23 • http://www.cimh.org/Services/Transition-Age-Youth.aspx • http://cjjr.georgetown.edu/pdfs/TransitionPaperFinal.pdf

  19. Trends in Mental Health Advocacy • Dual Diagnosis Clients (Developmental Delay/Mental Health Needs) • Tendency toward either/or view • “Diagnostic Overshadowing” • Service Silos • Intervention Services • Education/Training • Evidence-based practice

  20. Trends in Mental Health Advocacy • Dual Diagnosis Clients • Resources • http://www.thenadd.org/index.shtml • http://www.bckidsmentalhealth.org/docs/Dual_Diagnosis_Guide.pdf • http://www.nasddds.org/Resources/index.shtml

  21. Overall trends in Mental Health Advocacy • Early identification, prevention, and treatment • Reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors • Increasing client say and “buy-in” • “Whole child” strength based attitude

  22. Thank you for your time. • Maire Mullaly, Attorney Liaison mulallym@clcla.org • Leticia Perez, Mental Health Specialist, perezl@clcla.org • Kevin Jervik, Mental Health Clinician, jervikk@clcla.org

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