May is Mental Health Month, and the Sacramento County Division of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS) tasked local middle school children with opening discussion on the topic with their youth PSA contest, “Mental Illness: It’s not always what you think.” Seven students from Arden Middle School created a short public service announcement that attempts to break the stigma surrounding the various forms of mental illness which, according to the DBHS, affects one in five children. The 30-second PSA will air between May 2nd and May 27th on local television stations. From May 13th through May 17th, an art display along the outside of the governor’s office at the State Capitol will feature loc

More than two months after her disappearance, friends and family of 19-year old UC Davis student Linnea Lomax are still searching for clues to find her. Lomax disappeared from an outpatient clinic on Howe Avenue in Sacramento June 26, leaving her wallet, cell phone and much-needed medication – but no clues as to where she was headed or why she vanished. Nearly 90 people gathered Sunday in Placerville to show support and raise community awareness of the search, according to a press release from search organizers. The crowd wore yellow to symbolize their longing for Lomax’s return and passed out missing posters and yellow ribbons to residents of the teen’s home town, the release said. Lo

For most people, being told they were officially crazy might be a little frightening, a little offensive, or just plain fighting words! I was tremendously relieved. Since right around sixth grade, I had felt as though I was, to borrow from Kurt Vonnegut, becoming “unstuck.” It was, in the grand scheme of things, a subtle process. It became difficult to fall asleep (hence the late night calls to radio stations). It became equally difficult to stay asleep. I became fixated on unfathomable concepts like mortality, and the idea that we are all floating on a planet in space. I could no longer stand to watch Star Trek. I could no longer stand to watch anything that reminded me that we we

Depressed. Overwhelmed. Internal voices blocking the outside world. Brian found it difficult to perform the most basic tasks. In 1991 at age 41, he had been in and out of acute psychiatric hospitals and non-supportive care homes. Brian was in Stockton, but his brother, Steve, was in Georgia and felt helpless. The long distance calls with depressing news knotted Steve’s stomach and created anxious moments. After flying to Stockton, Steve was able to assist his brother and effectively communicate, but once Steve flew back home to Georgia, Brian’s situation quickly deteriorated. But after years of mayhem, there finally was a PLAN! Planned Lifetime Assistance Network (PLAN), also referred t

Part 1 - A Local Gay Youth Tells His Story By Ken Pierce Note: This is the first of three articles about growing up gay in Sacramento. It is hoped that the reader gains a better insight into the problems facing LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, Questioning) youth in our local schools and community. In the studios of Access Sacramento the evening of January 4, 2011, Mental Health Matters, a monthly program airing on the Comcast Community Channel was taped. The show’s producer, Marilyn Hillerman invited members of Equality Action Now’s, “It Gets Better Sacramento” project to talk about the LGBTQ youth bullying problem which has been so much in the news lately. On-air program host and

I am trying to hang on. Really, I am. I have not been sleeping regularly for a few weeks now and my psychiatrist just increased my anti-psychotic medication. I feel insanity is just a blink away. I don’t want to go to the mental institution. I never do. Every time I go, I get head lice. And I am afraid. Very afraid. I usually go to Sierra Vista Hospital on Bruceville Road in Sacramento County (I like their food). One time several years ago, I was quite psychotic and called them up before my mom forced me to go to the hospital and asked what they were having for dinner. I exclaimed on the phone how I loved their mashed potatoes. When I was finally dragged to Sierra Vista Hospital, the nurs

I cried today. Happy tears, not sad. I guess that is what happens when your dreams are coming true. When YOU make your dreams happen. I taught my first seminar today on mental health. I have a phobia of speaking in front of others, but I was determined to overcome this, and today I did. I stumbled a little bit with my words in the beginning, but once I started talking, it was hard to stop. Educating others on mental health has always been my dream. I originally wanted to become a professor, but my own mental illness interfered with school. The stress of college became too much, and I had to drop out of the masters program at Sacramento State twice due to the psychosis I experience with

Two weeks ago I received a call from the county informing me that my psychiatric clinic, Northgate Point, will be closing, and I will receive a letter stating where I will be able to get continuing services. On July 21, as reported in The Sacramento Bee , Federal U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez said that shutting down the county’s community outpatient programs would cause “catastrophic harm” and violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. The next day I received another call from the county informing me that as of right now I need to continue my mental health services at my clinic Northgate Point. I am confused. My previous psychiatrist left and I was told that due to budget cuts my

So, it is after 1 in the morning and I haven't slept in the last three days. Not good for someone with bipolar disorder. I am scared I might have a psychotic break and end up in the hospital. After all, with all the budget cuts and my psychiatrist leaving my clinic, I am deeply saddened. I really liked my doctor and it is so hard to find a doctor who you trust and is easy to talk to.   I just moved into my own little apartment, and I am making friends with all my neighbors. My next-door neighbor even brought me a stuffed animal and shared his Father’s Day cake with me. I worry that I am going to have an episode and act strangely, and my neighbors may not understand. In addition, I could

Blame it on a mental illness: Did the hostage situation involving Anthony Alvarez and his 16-month-old cousin in Sacramento County on June 9 have to happen? Alvarez was mentally ill and not taking antipsychotic medication for his bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. He was subsequently shot to death by the SWAT team and the little boy was rescued unharmed. Have you heard of Kendra’s Law? It was introduced in 1999 and is set to expire this month. New York Gov. George E. Pataki signed it into law after several violent incidents were committed by mentally ill people. The law is named after Kendra Webdale, who was killed in January 1999 after being pushed in front of a subway train by Andrew

Anthony Alvarez, 25, is holding his female cousin’s 16-month-old baby boy, Michael Pittman Jr., hostage inside a downstairs apartment in the Arden Towne complex between Arden and Wright street in Sacramento. According to his sister, Tessa Alvarez, her brother suffers from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. She said her brother was not taking his antipsychotic medication which helps him to not hear voices. In addition, she offered to go inside the apartment to get her brother to surrender, but that was deemed too dangerous. According to Sacramento County Sheriff Department Sgt. Tim Curran, there was a number of gunfire exchanges between the suspect and police, but it was not yet determin

 Mental health patient Linda Carol Clark was shot to death by a Placerville police officer last week after she stole an ambulance from Marshall Hospital and was followed by police. Witnesses said Clark was in a hospital gown and appeared confused. When she finally did stop, she put the ambulance into reverse and rammed three police cars. At this point, the officer shot Clark. One witness said that he did not hear the police ask her to step out of the vehicle before shots were fired. Clark called the police several times from November to February, once claiming that an intruder was trying to cut off her legs. It seemed as if she were suffering from some sort of mental illness and might no

Once again, it seems the mentally ill do not matter. The Sacramento News & Review reported Thursday that the remaining clinics in Sacramento County that offer psychiatric support and medication may close July 1 because of budget cuts. They include El Hogar, HRC, Northgate Point, TCore, Visions Unlimited and the Wellness and Recovery Center. Thousands of clients will be affected.   A client who receives services at Northgate Point expressed this view: “I am so angered by the prospect that my mental-health clinic will probably be closing. I keep my doctor appointments and take my medication like I am supposed to and now none of that will matter. If my clinic closes, I do not know where I

  The chance of a person being killed by a police officer because he or she has a mental illness may rise due to budget cuts, lack of proper treatment and the police being unaware that the person suffers from a mental illness. If you need to call the police on a loved one or someone you know who has a mental illness because of erratic or psychotic behavior, let the police know that he or she suffers from a mental illness. According to the Sacramento Bee, Giat Van Truong, a 35-year-old man who suffers from schizophrenia was shot to death while becoming violent with the arresting police officer. According to Sheriff Sgt. Tim Curran, the arresting officer was unaware that Giat was mentally

United Advocates for Children and Families (UACF), local business leaders and mental health advocates are raising awareness and funds for children’s mental health through UACF’s first annual awards dinner on September 18, 2009 in Sacramento. “Banquet with Business Leaders” promises an evening filled with fun, entertainment, live music, art show and awards for a great cause. All proceeds will be used to assist families in understanding the complexities of mental illness and to seek appropriate treatment for their children. UACF will be honoring mental health heroes who have made a difference in the mental health community. The Staglin Family, owners of the Staglin Family Winery in Napa, wi

Nearly 100 people stood outside the County Administration Center at 700 H Street on Tuesday at noon, while the County Board of Supervisors Meeting had its lunch break. Consisting of mental health patients, mental health clinicians, and their supporters, the gatherers protested proposed mental health budget cuts being discussed in the meeting. "We have 2,400 clients, and by June 31, we have to cut our number of clients to 1,000; it's kind of hard to let go of all of those mental health patients," said Marilyn Washington, a member of the regional support team for Turning Point Community Programs, a mental health agency. "It's going to cost the city more money, since we are the ones who hel