Our Voice FALL 2010 Consumer Affairs Newsletter My Story by Tracy Owens

In my senior year of college I had my first psychotic break. I thought I was telepathic, could speak to walls, and was getting married the next morning to a good friend of mine (thus, I was very, very dressed up without any shoes on, however). I said this to a college classmate at 2 o’clock in the morning when he opened his front door. He gave me a very strange look but then said “Congratulations.” I took this as a compliment, and wandered away as happy as a bug in a rug.

Now I reflect on this as a humorous beginning to my illness, despite the fact the reality of it was very serious. When I hear other people tell their stories, it makes me understand myself and my own reactions to my illness a little better with each story I hear. I now realize that I was not alone in my pain. Though I should of known this before, it is hard to imagine it unless you are face to face with someone else’s story and their pain. I thank the powers at be for ever day I live and will ever live on this earth for the insight and determina- tion this illness has given me. It has made me a better person and a more humane one, and for that I have no regrets about my past no matter how much sadness and fear it has brought me.

“Higher power give me the Serenity to accept those things I cannot change The Courage to change what things I can, And the Wisdom to know the difference.”

I feel with this illness, I have learned a great deal of serenity, courage and wisdom. And my inspiration and light at the end of the tunnel? The people who have had the courage to share their stories with me and have learned serenity and wisdom much better than I.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Involuntary Commitment 2 Dangerous, Harmful, Unnecessary Consumer Affairs advocates for *consumer rights, provides Three Powerful Words 3 leadership for the development of system-wide client involvement Dual Recovery Anonymous emphasizing peer support, peer advocacy and self-help, which Finding Our Voice 3 work together to reduce stigma/discrimination, provides a consumer perspective on Mental Health policies and supports con- Meeting Participants 4 sumers’ mental health wellness and recovery. and County Board Meetings Greetings from Our New Program 4 Three County Self-Help Centers were created in 2003. In 2007 Manager the Office of Consumer Affairs combined the Office of Client Em- powerment and Self Help and expanded to include Project TEAM, Special Events! 5, 6 Community Workers, Meeting Participants, and Peer Mentors.

Self-Help and Peer Mentors 7, 8 Calendars “Consumer” is a word of empowerment, as in insisting on the best quality and having a “choice”, not as in being a consumer of ser- Guided Imagery Groups vices. at Zephyr Self-Help back PAGE 2 FALL 2010

Getting Better All the Time Submitted by Terri Byrne

One of the most important things to remember about mental illness is this: people can and do recover. If you have a friend with mental illness, or if you have a mental illness yourself, take a deep breath and remember that recovery is possible. Reach out to those around you with compassion, empathy, and understanding. Then, educate yourself about treatment and support options and get the kind of help you or your friend needs.

Here are more things to keep in mind: mental illness can affect anybody regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, or background. You probably know somebody with a mental illness. And mental illnesses are not caused by poor decisions or bad habits. They affect a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well being, much like heart disease or diabetes. The stigma associated with mental illness is one of the biggest barriers to recovery. If we want to be a try healthy society, we need to break the stigma and treat mental illness like any other medical condition. It starts with you.

People with mental illness can recover or manage their conditions and go on to lead happy, healthy, productive lives. They contribute to society and make the world a better place. People can often benefit from medication, rehabilita- tion, psychotherapy, group therapy, self-help, or any combination of these. One of the most important factors in recovery is the understanding and acceptance of friends. The first steps are to educate yourself about mental illness and to be supportive toward a friend with mental illness.

Involuntary Outpatient Commitment: Dangerous, Harmful and Unnecessary by Delphine Brody, California Network of Mental Health Clients

Involuntary outpatient commitment not be reduced to pay for “AOT”. Data People need safe housing and sup- (IOC) has swept the country. Under must be reported to the state. The law ports, not more coercion or force. IOC, a client may be court-ordered to sunsets on Jan. 1, 2013. Thus far, only Thousands of dollars some seek to comply with a treatment plan. State- two Counties have very limitedly im- spend on IOC could be better spent wide and nationally, clients/survivors plemented AB 1421. Recently, AB on healing and empowering clients, in coalition with service providers, 1421 proposals have been put forward addressing the root causes of home- lawyers, advocates and allies oppose in 4 other counties. Local client-led lessness, and increasing access to IOC. formed coalitions oppose these ef- peer support, peer-run crisis alter- forts. natives, permanent affordable hous- Counties may implement IOC also ing, in-home and on-site supports, CNMHC opposes IOC because it need- known as assisted outpatient treat- and better, more coordinated out- ment (AOT) under California Assem- lessly deprives us of our civil and human reach and engagement. bly Bill 1421 “Laura’s Law” (2003; rights. Studies show that IOC is no renewed in 2008). MHSA funds can- more effective than comparable volun- If interested, please contact Hope not be used for AB 1421 court peti- tary services. Expanding force and coer- Holland, CNMHC’s Bay Area Re- tions, involuntary holds for evalua- cion in mental health treatment under- gional Coordinator at (408) 561- tion, hearings and related costs. Be- mines voluntary programs, traumatiz- 3154 or hopehol- fore implementing AOT, a full array ing clients, leading many to avoid men- [email protected]. of voluntary, community services tal health services altogether. “AOT” must be in place similar to FSP-style may also disproportionately target programs. Voluntary programs may people of color.

OUR VOICE FALL 2010 PAGE 3 Three Powerful Words: Dual Recovery Anonymous by David Speicher Three Powerful Words: Dual Re- fortable mentioning my mental illness out fear of being labeled or treated as covery Anonymous (DRA) help ad- at a typical AA meeting. My addiction an outsider. We share our lived ex- diction and/or and mental illness are so interwoven periences in our own recovery and mental illness that one cannot be treated if the successes towards a brighter future. sufferers re- other one is not addressed. Early in We solve problems. We comfort cover with hope my sobriety, I always felt that there each other. gaining lifetime was something missing, preventing coping skills. me from achieving full recovery. If you are interested in attending a DRA is a twelve Even though the early founders of AA DRA group or just want to check it step program based on Alcoholics knew there was a connection be- out, Zephyr Self-Help Center offers Anonymous (AA) with some key tween mental health and addiction, two groups. They are Wednesday differences. DRA covers all aspects the vast majority of AA groups stig- and Friday from 12 to 1pm in the of recovery including mental illness. matize mental illness. We need to large conference room. Zephyr is Participants often suffer from addic- consider the person as a whole to located at 1075 E. Santa Clara St, San tion and mental illness, but in DRA achieve an individual definition of re- Jose, 95116. The other group is from you don’t have to be an addict or covery. 12 to 1pm at the Central Wellness alcoholic and suffer from a mental and Benefits Center room 89. It is illness. DRA is a safe confidential DRA effectively, inclusively, and holis- located at 2221 Enborg Lane, San place to study the 12 steps and re- tically treats each individual by honor- Jose, 95128. lated topics. ing their unique issues, experiences, symptoms, strengths, and cultures. Hope to see you soon at one of the As a recovering alcoholic with a DRA creates an open safe environ- upcoming DRA meetings. mental illness, I always felt uncom- ment where one can talk freely with-

Finding Our Voice by Jane Christol

In the early 90's I discovered much consumers to host a consumer con- SCC. These early efforts inspired warmth and acceptance within mental ference. My contributions included much hope and possibility toward a health communities in Santa Clara coordinating the in-county and out- strong consumer voice in SCC. A County (SCC.) I witnessed how peer of-county speaker panels for the second consumer organized confer- support enhanced the lives of people 1998 Self-Help Planning Conference. ence was held in 1999. There the living with diagnoses. And I became I also worked to develop a county- vision for an Office of Consumer involved in advocacy with the United wide consumer mailing list for SCC. Affairs in SCC was established. Consumer Movement in SCC. My mo- The vision and proposal for three Hope and possibility continue as we tivation to contribute in a meaningful self help centers in SCC was estab- work toward a united consumer way continued to grow. lished at this conference. voice in SCC. I welcome this consumer-created newsletter which In 1997 there arose another opportu- A newly hired mental health direc- helps us feel connected to one an- nity to engage in a county-wide con- tor, Allan Rawland, was a champion other and helps us to become aware sumer effort. The then director of for consumer-driven efforts. He ini- of state, national and international MHAP (Mental Health Advocacy Pro- tiated the retention of mental health consumer-driven efforts. ject,) Kyra Kzantzis, lent support for consumers as county workers in

OUR VOICE PAGE 4 FALL 2010 Meeting Participants Getting to know MH Board Members by John Hardy

In my job as the Meeting Participant Coordinator, I have come to truly appreciate the value of consumer advocacy. Who makes the decisions regarding our services? What do providers really say in their meetings. What would the people I was in the hospital with think about what providers say? In the Mental Health board meetings I have attended, I have discovered that most of my suspicions were illu- sory. These people really do care about the quality and fairness of the services Santa Clara County provides. They differ usually, in on process but not in dedication. Fall 2010 County Mental Health Meetings Meeting locations: Downtown Mental Health, 1075 E. Santa Clara St., 2nd floor, Training Room # 3

ALL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 2nd Monday – 9 a.m. 10/18 Older Adult Committee 11/08 2nd Monday – 12 noon 10/18 Mental Health Board 11/08

1st Thursday – 3 p.m. 10/7 System Planning & Fiscal Committee 11/04

2nd Thursday – 3 p.m. 11/18 Family, Adolescent, & Children’s Committee 3rd Tuesday – 12 noon 10/19 Minority Advisory Committee 11/16 3rd Thursday – 9 a.m. 11/18 Adult System of Care

Greetings from Our New Program Manager by Bart Zisa Hello,

Please allow me to introduce myself as the new Program Manager of Consumer Affairs. I arrived here just a few months ago, and it has already been a fascinating learning experience for me. Since 1999, I have been involved with such programs as School-Linked Services, Valley Children’s Health Initiative and Medicare Support Services all of which were based in the Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System.

This is the second newsletter I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy and from which to learn. As I continue to acclimate to my new surroundings I will be doing everything I can to advocate for our program and the dedicated staff who keep it thriving.

Thanks to those who have contributed to the newsletter, past and present and particularly Lorraine Zeller who coor- dinates every detail that goes into this publication

I hope you enjoy it. OUR VOICE

Our Voice Distributed by the Santa Clara County Bart Zisa, Consumer Affairs Program Manager Mental Health Department Phone: 408-792-3948 Office of Consumer Affairs Fax: 408-792-2158 1075 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose, CA 95116 E-mail: [email protected]

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS / COMMENTS WELCOME! Many thanks to all who submitted material, proofread, helped with graphics and layout, and did all the hard work that went into publishing this issue of “Our Voice”!

Special thanks to Zephyr volunteers and staff!

Please send submissions for our Winter issue by November 22nd

Lorraine Zeller - [email protected]

ANNOUNCING Two Great Self-Help Guided Imagery Groups by Cathie Pelton time. The reading is followed by guided imagery is followed by a short, WHO, WHAT, WHERE a short reading from “An Easy Guide 10–minute relaxation exercise imagery Hi! I am Cathie, a group facilitator for to Meditation” because we are all be- from “Guided Imagery for Groups”. the Zephyr Self Help Center at Down- ginning meditators. This is a basic in- When we are ready, we open our eyes. town Mental Health, 1075 East Santa troduction to Meditation. We don’t Clara Street, San Jose. Among the pretend to be experts. THEN groups I lead are two groups which can We take turns talking around the table be very helpful to Mental Health Clients. BREATHING and discussing how we’re doing. Being a Mental Health Client myself I find Then, we do some deep breathing these groups have helped me a lot. exercises, which help us relax, focus, UNEXPECTED RESULTS and clear our minds of clutter. The One woman told me she had had a The name of the groups is Guided Im- breathing exercises are followed by stomachache for a very long time. agery and Relaxation (two sessions). two light Yoga and stretching exer- When she went to my group, the ache They now meet on Tuesdays from 12:15 cises which help us to stretch our disappeared. Another person said that p.m. to 1:15 p.m. and Thursdays from bodies in a healthy, relaxing way cou- practicing the tools learned here at 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Guided Imagery pled with the breathing exercises we home helped him with his sleep trou- and Relaxation meets in an enclosed con- just learned. bles. Still another person in one of the ference room at the Zephyr Self Help groups said that the exercise took Center. READY – SET – GO! away her headache. Now we’re ready. We turn out the AS WE PROCEED lights and close our eyes to help relax SO First, we start out by reading affirmations our minds. I lead you through a Come on in! Remember that the class that are very helpful and get us into a guided imagery story that will help you has new hours. Tuesdays at 12:15 p.m. positive mood. We emphasize the relax. We practice the breathing ex- and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. power of practicing positivity most all the ercises throughout the imagery. The