By PEERS Media PEERS is saddened to hear the news of our former colleague and friend Heather Riemer. Please see below for our statement on the matter. For follow up questions, please reach out to our Media team at media@peersnet.org.
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By Leah Harris Books are good medicine. For as long as the written word has existed, people have found solace and strength in the thoughts of others revealed on the page. The field of bibliotherapy is based on research that shows how reading can nurture our mental health while expanding our minds, as well as our sense of what’s possible for ourselves and our world. Bibliotherapy is a powerful self-help tool as well as a practice to be enjoyed with others in book clubs or other settings. Here are four books to ignite your spirit and imagination in the new year.
Breaking the Holiday Blues: Overcoming Loneliness with the Power of Connection and Kindness12/20/2023 Photo by Kristina Tripkovic on Unsplash By Leah Harris If you’re feeling lonely during the holidays, you’re not alone, and this simple practice might help
Americans are said to suffer from an epidemic of loneliness, which can be amplified during the holiday season with its emphasis on family gatherings and making merry. If you experience more sadness or loneliness during the holidays, it may feel like a small consolation, but you’re far from alone. By Leah Harris It’s been over a month since the Israel-Hamas war began, and the onslaught of news and traumatic images has been taking a major toll on mental health for many. This impact is greatly magnified for those who have a personal connection to the unfolding events, but the vicarious trauma can impact anyone who is exposed to frightening, violent, and distressing content online. Here are some tips for coping with vicarious trauma, for yourself and your loved ones.
Happy Halloween Eve! PEERS got to be to be part of this year's Dia de los Muertos Festival as both an altar artist and a vendor. Our altar, "Crossing the Marigold Bridge", paid tribute to young adults between the ages of 16 - 24 that have lost their lives due to mental health issues and substance use. Our goal was to bring awareness to a growing issue that continues to impact our community and share resources PEERS offers. At our outreach table, PEERS staff connected with the community and shared info on the organization and our ongoing programs. All in all, it was wonderful getting to connect with the community in various ways. Check out some photos from the event, provided by some of our wonderful staff! October 10th is World Mental Health Day! This day is more than just a date on the calendar. It's a reminder for all of us to reflect on our well-being, foster understanding, and promote mental health awareness. Here are five simple yet impactful ways you can make the most of this significant day.
PEERS invites you to attend a public forum on Tuesday, August 1st from 3 pm to 4:30 pm to speak up against SB 326.
This bill would modernize and reform the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), which was passed as Proposition 63 by voters in 2004. It would expand services for substance abuse disorders and provide more resources for housing and workforce development. These improvements would come at the cost of existing prevention and early intervention services. Under the current Mental Health Services Act, Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) programs receive 19% of the allocated funds. SB 326 would replace PEI with a new category - Population-Based Prevention (PBP) - and reduce the funding allocations to just 5%. In Alameda County, this change translates to a drop from $20 million to $7 million in funding. Such a change would drastically impact our ability to provide vital services that help people before they are greatly affected by their mental health challenges. That’s why we’re showing up at public forums that the California Behavioral Health Planning Council is hosting throughout the month of August. These forums will give community members and healthcare providers a chance to provide their input on SB 326. The comments heard will be consolidated and included in the recommendations the Council provides to DHCS, the Legislature, and the Governors Administration. Make sure to register and join us at tomorrow's virtual forum. Find more info and ways to stay informed on SB 326 below. PEERS' Teens and Young Adults program is proud to present their 22-23 Impact Report. Inside you'll find an overview of the previous fiscal year for the program including stats, testimonials from participants, and highlights of the workshops offered to Alameda County youth. We have exciting news! We're hiring coordinators to oversee a couple of new programs we're adding in the coming months. See below for details and links to apply.
By PEERS Last month, California lawmakers unveiled SB 43, a bill that aims to expand the criteria by which individuals can be detained for mental health treatment. It would expand the definition of “gravely disabled” to make it easier to involuntarily detain people for forced treatment. We, the staff of PEERS, stand in opposition to SB 43. We believe people should be free to choose among many mental health options that address their needs as a whole person. That’s why we’ve joined a group of mental health organizations from across California in opposing this bill. The group, led by Disability Rights California, believes that the Legislature should invest in evidence-based, community-defined programs and services that are proven to meet the needs of Californians living with serious mental disabilities, including affordable, accessible housing with voluntary support services. Together, we’ve submitted a letter to Senator Eggman, the author of SB 43, outlining the reasons we oppose this bill. Here is an excerpt from the letter:
The full letter goes into further detail into the reasons why we oppose SB 43. Read it in its entirety below. |