Education & Advocacy

As active mental health advocates in the city, state and federal arenas, we tackle important issues such as the unmet need for mental health services, fairness in housing, and the criminalization of the mentally ill. We also work to inform the community by addressing civic, business and church groups, and providing curriculum and training to help school children understand more about mental illness.

Advocacy
The Mental Health Association in Santa Barbara has been, since its inception, a strong voice in the community on mental health issues. Members of the MHA/NAMI Public Policy Committee and individual members participate in public forums at both the local and state level, and testify before public officials.

Education
The Education Committee, a very productive group, exemplifies the strong synergy that comes from the MHA/NAMI collaboration. Projects include:

Teacher Education:
    - Teacher Education at UCSB and Antioch-Santa Barbara for credential candidates in elementary, secondary and special education.

Student Education:
   - MHA's 6th grade curriculum "Mental Health Matters" that helps 6th grade students achieve an understanding and compassion for persons with mental illness. Two classes have already been offered at El Camino Elementary School in Goleta, and plans for several additional 6th grade classes are in negotiation.
   - NAMI's Family-to-Family curriculum has been offered to UCSB students and plans are to offer it yet again as part of the Mental Health Initiative on the UCSB Campus.
 
Community Education:
   -Santa Barbara Public Library has enthusiastically agreed to accept  the addition of a large number of current books on mental illness to add to its collection and circulate in the community.  The Education Committee members will choose significant and up-to-date books from the MHA/NAMI library.
   -Retirement Community Outreach: The committee is working on a plan for outreach to this important group whose vulnerability to depression is well-known.
   -Depression Curriculum: Cindy Somers, one of the committee members who has a bi-polar diagnosis, is working on a curriculum with a focus on depression. Cindy has already published a self-help workbook for persons with depression.

Speakers' Bureau:
   -The Education Committee provides speakers including persons with a mental illness diagnosis to groups who wish to know more about mental illness, recovery, strategies and community resources. Interested persons should call the Mental Health Association office.

The Education Committee welcomes new volunteers to join in its many projects in the community. Please contact the Mental Health Association office at (805) 884-8440.