California's statewide initiative to reduce mental health stigma and resulting discrimination

This session examines the planning, implementation and initial outcomes of California's historic statewide effort to reduce mental health stigma and resulting discrimination. In 2004 California voters passed the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) which supports strategies to build a mental health system of prevention, wellness and recovery and equity for California's diverse populations. It is well documented that the stigma associated with mental illness prevents people from seeking help. Stigma can also lead to discrimination at work or school, bullying or harassment, and even the denial of health coverage. Recognizing that the stigma associated with mental illness greatly impacts the quality and accessibility of services, the MHSA allocated $60 million in funds for a comprehensive statewide mental health stigma and discrimination reduction initiative. Specific strategies for the statewide effort were selected from the research-based California Strategic Plan to Reduce Stigma and Discrimination. There are four broad program areas being implemented through ten distinct programs. Programs include a networking consortium with consumer and family leaders to establish statewide visibility and ensure client driven messaging, social marketing strategies to increase public understanding of mental health, and capacity-building to develop strategies at the local level. All programs aim to provide the most effective strategies possible including trainings with curricula emphasizing inclusion of client participation and best practices material development that advances culturally relevant practices. Collectively these programs aim to foster permanent change in the public perception of mental illness and individual experience of stigma.