News /November, 2011
PEERS awarded SAMHSA grant to produce TAY documentary on mental health issues
As part of its expanding effort to promote dialogue about mental health in the youth community, PEERS was recently named one of six winners of the national SAMHSA Campaign for Social Inclusion State Awards.
PEERS was granted $20,000 to create a documentary film highlighting the personal stories of three to five youths living with behavioral health issues and the impact of violence and trauma in Oakland. Issues such as the influence of racism, violence, trauma, cultural norms, and socioeconomic status will be highlighted through the diverse voices of the youth who are profiled....
Growing number of consumers living below poverty line
People with mental health issues make up 36 percent of Social Security allocations — up from 24 percent two decades prior — and possess a standard of living that often falls below federal poverty guidelines, according to Alternatives presenters Donita Diamata and Amy Zulich.
With the federal poverty guideline set at $10,890 per year and Social Security payments set at $8,064 annually, consumers relying solely on government income face a deficit of more than $2,000 each year in meeting basic living expenses, according to Diamata.
In addition to not being able to...
