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- What is the Mental Health Coalition of Sonoma County (MHCSC)?
The Mental Health Coalition of Sonoma County advocates for improved mental health systems through integrative care, recognizing the interconnectedness of physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
- What is Integrative Health?
Integrative health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing. Today we know that most illnesses, mental and physical, are influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. The World Health Report 2001 p.4
- What is the focus of the MHCSC?
- Advocating for improved health systems through an integrative health model
- Mental Health Stigma Reduction through social marketing campaigns designed to:
- Help medical providers understand the connection and importance of addressing mental health concerns with their patients.
- Encourage people to understand that mental health is a part of their whole health and wellbeing - simply a part of being human and having feelings and emotional needs.
- Data Collection & Assessment to learn from the community what their needs are, communicate this information to providers and work together to meet the needs of the community.
- Strategic Analysis & Recommendations for Collaborative opportunities to strengthen Sonoma County's Safety Net
- Advocacy and Outreach to promote Mental Health and improve access to mental health services, and support the mission of the MHCSC.
- How will the MHCSC set priorities?
The MHCSC is mapping a safety net for Sonoma County of an ideal integrative health system, what is in place and where the net can be strengthened. Priorities will be given to strategies that strengthen the net and that also have collaborative energy from the membership to accomplish the tasks necessary for implementation. Individual members of the Coalition are asked to contribute their time and resources to areas they feel passionate about and have expertise in.
- How do we collaborate?
By creating more durable and pervasive relationships, in which separate organizations are brought into a new structure, a shared vision/mission is created, comprehensive planning is required, well-defined communication occurs on all levels. Through the new structure, each member contributes resources and reputation, the collaborative structure determines authority, partners pool or jointly secure resources, risks are much greater however results and rewards are shared by all.
- What are the Advocacy components of the MHCSC?
The MHCSC will focus on system and policy change as well as community education by promoting:
- An integrative health system through collaboration
- Expanded access through all stages of life with a focus on people with unmet health needs and multiple barriers
- System change to reduce stigma in order to improve access to services and to ensure equal access in the community
- What is an integrative health system?
An integrative health system is one in which people are treated as whole human beings and the interconnectedness between one's mental, social and spiritual wellbeing, and their physical health are recognized. Health providers understand that emotional stress can cause physical ailments and vice versa. No one part of a person is isolated from another for diagnosis, treatment or everyday health living.
- Who makes up the MHCSC partnership?
The MHCSC is made up of informed and engaged community members as well as effectively linked service providers and other mission supporting organizations from the public, private and government sectors.
- What are the accomplishments/highlights of the MHCSC?
- Successfully engaged and maintained a core group of community members and organizations as active members over a four year period working together to create a safety net for Sonoma County
- Established a Website
- Created an Integrative Health Educational Tool which helps an individual assess their current health in relation to mind/body/spirit
- Developed a plan for a county wide Anti-Stigma social marketing campaign focused on physicians and nurse practitioners, and the general public
- Developed and implemented monthly Mental Health Dialogues for Outreach Workers serving Spanish Speaking Populations
- Developed and implemented a baseline survey throughout the service provider and general public communities
- Created the Mental Health Resource Binder for physicians and nurse practitioners, currently being piloted at Santa Rosa Memorial and Petaluma Valley Hospitals
- Developed a method for "mapping" the Safety Net that will engage the community and build capacity throughout Sonoma County
- How do I get involved with the MHC?
Contact the Lead Coordinator, through our Contact Us page, to sign up for an orientation. We require individuals go through the orientation before becoming involved because there are several working teams of the MHCSC and the work scope is large. In this way, one can understand the whole picture, and select a team on which to work that most reflects one's passion and expertise. When you know which area of work suits your interests the most, simply attend the Team Meeting.
- How is the MHCSC funded?
Our funding comes from membership dues, grants, donations and fee-for-service contracts.
- Does your organization provide direct services for those with Mental Illness?
No, the MHCSC does not provide services directly to individuals or families.
We promote a community based wellness model that includes a full spectrum of services starting with prevention and early intervention, through to treatment and maintenance programs.
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