October 2014 Peers Linking Peers Recovery Innovations This and previous issues can be found on the Network of Care Website Volume 6, Issue 10, October 2014 http://sandiego.networkofcare.org/mh/content.aspx?id=1052 Integration of the Mental and Alcohol Drug Board By Jean Fisher, MS There is a plan in place for the Mental Health Board (MHB) and the Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board (ADAB) to be combined into one board. The proposed name will be Behavioral Health Advisory Board (BHAB). Joint work groups have been in a 2-year planning process to create a document to submit for approval to the County Board of Supervisors. At this time, the proposal is to be presented to the County Board of Supervisors on October 28, 2014. Both boards have shared commonalities and uniqueness in their operations and structures. By forming the proposed BHAB, members of both boards will become well-informed with the Behavioral Health Services by addressing equity, needs, programs, policies of both communities. It was noted at the August 8, 2014 MHB meeting that one reason why this integration is being done is that the percentage of the co-occurring population is increasing. The integration is an important step to align policies to become a fully integrated system creating greater efficiencies. The new board will be elevated to the same level of responsibility, authority, and accountability under existing State mandates. Sources: County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services Director’s Report – September 2014; September 4, 2014 MHB & ADAB Joint Board Meeting; August 7, 2014 MHB meeting To help stay informed about the integration, please visit the Network of Care website for meeting info and more http://sandiego.networkofcare.org/mh/ content.aspx?id=1201 Inside this issue: Integration Mental and Alcohol Board 1 Reinstatement of Denti-Cal 2 Community Academy 2 Exercise 2 Pleasure Unwoven 3 Coloring for Wellness 3 County Wide 3 Upcoming Events 4 San Diego County Section 8 Waiting lists now allows you to log in and track your status on the waitlist. https://sdhcdrentportal.sdcounty.ca.gov/ Public/Login/Login.aspx Sign up and track your status. Funding provided through the County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency Adult and Older Adult Behavioral Health Services Reinstatement of Denti-Cal By Laura Wiseman Those who are on Medi-cal may know that as of May 1st, 2014 some of the Denti-Cal benefits have been restored. Services covered are: Exams, X-Rays, Cleanings, Fluoride treatments, Fillings, Stainless Steel, Amalgram and Composite Crowns, Space maintainers, Dental Sealants, Emergency Procedures, Root Canals for front teeth, Full Dentures, Cast Crowns, Extraction of the Third Molar and any other medically necessary Dental Services. Not covered are: Partial dentures, Root Canals for back teeth and Implants. Benefits for children stay the same. For help with general inquiries, dentist referrals and information about Treatment Authorization Requests (TAR), please contact: Denti-Cal beneficiary services at 1-800-322-6384, M-F 8:30-5pm. Or at http://www.denti-cal.ca.gov/ For help with complaints or appeals contact The Consumer Center for Health Education and Advocacy M-F 9:00-5pm at 1-877-7343258. Family Health Centers of San Diego: www.fhcsd.org Community Academy By Denita Harris, AA, AOD In May 2010, I was attending a job fair at San Diego City College when I talked with a young lady who introduced me to the Community Academy. The academy is a program that assists and supports individuals with behavioral health challenges. I was given information and instructed to complete an application and submit a paragraph on why I should be selected to participate in the program. On November 1, 2010 I was accepted into the academy. The academy supported not only my classes at City College but helped me through my AODS internship at Serenity House Escondido and trainings at both Recovery Innovations and NAMI. Graduating from the academy was a very proud moment for me and I thanked them for giving me the opportunity to continue my education and for believing in me. Today I am proud to be of service to my peers and reach out my hand in hopes of helping someone else. http://www.alliant.edu/cspp/programs-degrees/undergraduatepsychology/ Exercise By Sandy Opsal, BA Did you know that besides keeping your body healthy and in shape, exercise may also help improve your emotional and behavioral health? It can improve your self-esteem, take your mind off your problems and give you a sense of control. People who are fit have less anxiety, stress and depression. It has been shown in studies that it may help improve symptoms of depression and help prevent it from coming back. You don’t need to go overboard! Moderate exercise is safe for most people but it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor before starting or increasing your activity. People over 65 should definitely see their doctor before beginning an exercise program. Remember to start slowly and gradually build up. It may be hard to exercise when you feel depressed or anxious or have another behavioral health challenge. Activity has been shown to help these symptoms. Sometimes finding someone to exercise with helps. Remember to start slow and build up and drink plenty of water. Page 2 Peers Linking Peers DVD Pleasure Unwoven By Michelle Gregoire, BA The August County-wide meeting saw an encore of the hit film, Pleasure Unwoven, where Dr. Kevin T. McCauley, M.D. uses an expansive landscape to beautifully illustrate how addiction works in the brain, and to explain that addiction is both a choice and a disease. He starts by exploring the Choice Argument, which states that addicts had a choice to start using drugs, and they can stop, with proper motivation. He drives the point home with a humorous illustration where “Mr. Alcoholic” has a choice to take a drink on the condition that he’ll be shot. Mr. Alcoholic chooses to put the drink down. Dr. McCauley continues, however, saying that while the alcoholic can choose not to drink, he can’t choose not to crave a drink. He then explains addiction as a disease, using the Disease Model, the causal model used in medicine to explain illness: an organ gets a physical, cellular defect, and as a result, you see symptoms. Because of all we’ve learned over the past few years about the brain, Dr. McCauley was able to fit addiction into the Disease Model: the midbrain, has a defect in the ability to perceive and process pleasure (hedonic capacity), causing symptoms of a loss of control in using drugs, craving, and persistence in pursuing the drug despite negative results. This is important because when addiction became a disease, addicts became patients, giving them equal rights as other patients! Dr. McCauley concludes saying recovery is possible, explaining that a halt in behaviors negatively affecting our pleasure sense will allow our bodies to readjust. Formerly pleasurable activities will once again become pleasurable. For more information visit www.instituteforaddictionstudy.com. Try Coloring for Wellness By Le’Andra Hamilton Annie Dunlap from NAMI San Diego spoke at the July County Wide about having the structure of a coloring book as a coping skill. Annie mentioned that while coloring she was still able to think about the issue that she was dealing with, without allowing the issue to consume her. Coloring a variety of pages provided meaning and purpose when she was experiencing mental health challenges. Annie spoke of preparing for the battle of the day; she used her coloring time as a mindfulness activity, creating an outlet for emotion. Coloring also gives the individual an opportunity to see the completed project versus having a great big daunting project in front of you. Although she amassed a sizeable collection of art, initially she was uncertain what to do with the coloring sheets. She ultimately decided to utilize the pages as, “Thank You” notes, which allowed for a more personable thank you, a readily available source ,while also saving money. Peer Liaison County-Wide Speak-Out October 28, 2014 Spirituality 3851 Rosecrans St. San Diego, CA 92110 Volume 6, Issue 10, October 2014 Page 3 Recovery Innovations Peer Liaison Team Contact Information Editor, Team Lead, Mary Benson [email protected] 3565 Del Rey Street, Suite 202 San Diego, CA 92109 Direct line: 858-766-7106 Office: 858-274-4650 Fax: 858-274-4662 Mary Benson, Peer Liaison Team Lead [email protected] Peer Liaisons assist people to advocate for their needs and rights. We act as a two-way conduit to gather and disseminate information between the San Diego County Behavioral Health Services Administrators and people receiving services and their families. We provide hope, encouragement, and connection to the community through county-wide forums, focus groups, county meeting attendance, resources and our monthly newsletter. N. Coastal & Inland, Jeffrey Najarian, CMT [email protected] N. Coastal & Rural, Susan Gates [email protected] South Bay, Mercedes Webber [email protected] East County, Laura Wiseman [email protected] East County, Michelle Gregoire, BA [email protected] N. Central, Sandy Opsal, BA [email protected] Central, Maureen Swan, BA [email protected] Central, Jean Fisher, MS [email protected] Central, Denita Harris, AA [email protected] Recovery Innovations Events Classes held at our main office— 3565 Del Rey St. Suite 202 WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 9-11 AM WELL (Wellness and Empowerment in Life and Living) Monday and Friday 1:30-3:30 PM Medication for Success or Creating Healthy Habits Thursdays 1:30-3:30pm in our office. October 20 Peer Liaison Community Action Committee (CAC) 1:30-3:30 PM 330 Park Blvd San Diego Downtown Public Library October 27 Peer Liaison CAC North Inland Escondido Clubhouse 9:45-11:45AM 474 West Vermont Ave. Escondido, 92025 October 22 Peer Liaison CAC East County, 11:00-12:30, East County Mental Health 1000 Broadway, El Cajon, 92021 October 29 Peer Liaison CAC South Bay, 10:30am Visions Clubhouse, 226 Church St, Chula Vista, 91910 Upcoming Community Events October 2 Mental Health Board, 4-6 PM 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego 92101. October 2 NAMI Education and Advocacy Meeting 6:30-8:00 PM, University Christian Church 3900 Cleveland Avenue San Diego 92103 October 2 16th Annual Native American Men's and Women’s Conference 8-5pm all Individuals Welcome. Barona Golf Event Center. October 7 Southwestern College Disability Awareness event 10:00-12:30pm October 14 Jobtoberfest Job fair for people with disabilities 10am-2pm. Balboa Park Club, Balboa Park. October 18 Out of the Darkness Walk Registration begins at 8:30am Walk starts at 10am Embarcadero Marina Park North/Seaport Village. October 30 Meeting of the Minds Conference Sheraton Hotel & Marina www.mhasd.org