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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Solano County; and Adopt and present a resolution recognizing May 6 -12, 2024 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week in Solano County (Supervisor Brown)
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Solano County; and adopt and present a resolution recognizing May 6 -12, 2024 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
Mental Health Awareness Month, also referred to as “Mental Health Month,” has been observed in May every year since it began in 1949. Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a national effort to reach millions of people through the media, local events and screenings, and to spread the word that mental health should be of critical importance to everyone. The attention to mental health issues has risen nationally due to the rise in social media and societal factors and disparities.
Mental Health Awareness Month also focuses on different populations, such as women who experience perinatal and post-partum mental health needs, which is referred to as “Maternal Mental Health.” The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, formerly 2020 Mom, launched the U.S. Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week campaign in 2014 after several organizations voiced interest in raising awareness on social media. The campaign runs the first week of May each year and serves to raise awareness of maternal mental health issues so that more women seek help and receive appropriate mental health treatment.
The Solano County Health and Social Services Department’s Behavioral Health and Public Health Divisions, in partnership with other community organizations, will raise awareness about mental health through social media, virtual events and through other outreach events. Both the Mental Health Awareness Month and the Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week resolutions provide an opportunity to raise public awareness of the vital role mental wellness plays in an individuals’ overall health and well-being.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with related activities are included in the Department’s FY2023/24 Working Budget. There is no impact on the County General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
According to a 2022 California Health Care Foundation report, mental health conditions are the most common health condition in California, where 1 in 7 people experience any mental health issue, and 1 in 26 have a severe mental illness that impairs their daily activities. At least 1 in 14 children have an emotional disorder that limits functioning in family, school, or community activities. Data from a 2021 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) national survey on drug use and health reported that 20.1% of adolescents (ages 12-17) and 8.3% of adults in the U.S. reported having a major depressive episode in the past year. Furthermore, higher rates of mental illness are observed for both children and adults in families with incomes below 100% of the federal poverty level.
Annually, the Solano County Behavioral Health Division provides a range of specialty mental health services to approximately 5,800 individuals experiencing serious mental health conditions; 35% are children and 65% are adults. Behavioral Health provides services and supports that are person-centered, safe, effective, efficient, timely, equitable, supported by friends and the community, and promote wellness and recovery. Additionally, through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) prevention and early intervention (PEI) programs and services, Behavioral Health works to reduce stigma and discrimination of individuals with mental health conditions and to prevent suicide.
Solano County Behavioral Health and community-based mental health providers plan to organize activities and events throughout the month of May to celebrate mental wellness. Additionally, Solano County Behavioral Health will continue to use social media platforms to raise awareness about mental health, available services, and appropriate resources.
Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week draws attention to essential health concerns for mothers and families. Life changes around pregnancy make women more vulnerable to mental illness as many new mothers experience some type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder. According to the California Department of Public Health, one in three women who recently gave birth experienced symptoms of anxiety and/or depression during and after pregnancy. This may have long-lasting physical, cognitive, and emotional outcomes as women of every culture, age, income level, and race can develop perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The prevalence is estimated to be even higher in certain populations. According to the Policy Center for Maternal Health, people of color have an increased risk for maternal mental health disorders, like depression. Up to 40% of African American and Latina mothers suffer from postpartum depression, twice the rate of their White counterparts. Maternal mental health disorder symptoms can appear at any time during pregnancy and within the first twelve months after childbirth.
The Public Health Division’s Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health (MCAH) Bureau, screens for symptoms of depression using validated tools and provides appropriate referrals and ancillary support for women in need of care. Through a partnership and braided funding between Solano County Behavioral Health MHSA and Public Health, an evidenced-based intervention titled “Mothers and Babies Perinatal Depression Prevention Program” promotes healthy mood management. Providing the intervention during the perinatal period (pregnancy through baby’s first year), can prevent adverse childhood experiences in early childhood that can have lifetime effects. In addition, MCAH will promote Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week’s theme of “Storytelling Saves Lives” to raise public awareness about perinatal mental health problems, educate about the symptoms of perinatal depression and anxiety, and provide education and information on interventions and available resources.
Increasing awareness drives social change with a goal of improving the quality of care for people who experience mental illnesses, as well as women experiencing all types of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and reducing the stigma of experiencing mental health challenges and seeking support.
Mental Health Awareness Month and Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week create opportunities for community members to speak out about their mental health and know they are not alone and understand that seeking help is not a weakness.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt these resolutions. This is not recommended because this is an opportunity to raise awareness and promote community discussion regarding the impact of mental illness and the services available to address these issues. This is also an opportunity to raise awareness and improve maternal mental health issues in Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Solano County Behavioral Health Advisory Board endorses the resolutions and activities. Additionally, the Health and Social Services Department’s Behavioral Health Division will continue to partner with various community-based mental health providers and community organizations to support Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
The Health and Social Services Department’s Public Health Division, MCAH Bureau, will also partner with various organizations to promote Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION