Help Serve Our Community’s Mental Health Needs

Published on April 27, 2016

Overcoming the stigma of mental health problems helps reduce the tendency to avoid getting needed assistance. Awareness of the extent of mental health issues and the work to end discrimination against persons who experience these problems continues to grow. The work of the Placer County Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board is a critical component of both local and state efforts for prevention and early intervention for those suffering from mental health issues.

The board, a 16-member advisory body, is in need of additional community members to fill vacant seats. The board has a multi-faceted role in reviewing and evaluating the community's mental health, alcohol, and drug needs, services, facilities, and special problems and making recommendations on contracts and agreements with the state and service providers.

Half of the board members must be consumers, parents, spouses, siblings, adult children or significant others of those who have received county mental health services or are currently receiving those services. Having board members with experience and knowledge of the mental health system adds real-world benefit. In addition to experience with the mental health system, members also come with backgrounds in health, behavioral health, community services, finance and the criminal justice system.

In one of its roles, the board also holds an annual public hearing to solicit public comment on the Mental Health Services Act plan for funding. This includes local treatment expansion, system transformation, and prevention and early intervention as well as the county’s share of statewide efforts to raise awareness about mental illness and eliminate suicides.

Board members serve three-year terms and attend regular monthly meetings. Interested community members should email Janna Jones with Placer County's Adult System of Care or 530-889-7254 for more information and an application.