Transitions – Mental Health Association

  
   

Family Advocate Program

One out of every four families in the United States is directly affected by a mental illness. Such families face tremendous uncertainty and an unfair burden of stigma and discrimination that linger despite scientific proof that makes such beliefs groundless.

The Family Advocate joins in partnership with family members to work as a team and to do the following:

  • Provide families with an understanding of the mental health and judicial system and the services that are available.
  • Help empower family members to better understand and cope with the problems and realities of severe and persistent mental illness.
  • Offer confidential assistance and support, with dignity and respect.
  • Supply educational materials and information about financial programs, support groups, workshops, conferences and family-to-family education.
  • Develop programs that strengthen parent-to-parent support.
  • Serve as a liaison with parents and other family members, care givers, individuals with mental illness, County Mental Health staff, local National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) groups, and other service providers in San Luis Obispo County.
  • Attend and participate in local, regional and state meetings focused on family-professional partnerships.
  • Assist in orientation of new families entering the mental health system and assist in development of orientation packets.

How Much Does It Cost?
This program is a free service to residents in San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara Counties.
Family Advocate Program is funded locally by proposition 63 / The Mental Health Services Act.

How Do I Get in the Program?
Anyone with an adult family member and/or loved one who may have a mental illness can contact the program. No referral is necessary.

Whom Do I Contact?
Santa Barbara County, contact (805) 739-8681 or familyadvocate@t-mha.org.
San Luis Obispo County, contact (805) 541-5144, ext. 171 or jholmes@t-mha.org

 

The Shaken Tree:  Families Living with Mental Illness

Click here to learn more more about The Shaken Tree, a documentary giving voice to families living with a mental illness.

October 16, 2007 – Mustang Daily: LOCAL DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHTS FAMILIES DEALING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

October 8, 2007 – The San Luis Obispo Tribune: LOCAL FILM TAKES ON STEREOTYPES

October 4, 2007 – LOCAL FAMILIES SHARE STORIES OF LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

 

 

Transitions – Mental Health Association
P. O. Box 15408
San Luis Obispo CA 93406
Phone: (805) 541-5144
Fax: (805) 541-9480
Info@t-mha.org
Copyright © 2008