Grant ID's ‘significant’ need for mental health services

Sonoma Valley Fund, in conjunction with its parent, Community Foundation Sonoma County, has made a $100K grant to the Sonoma Valley Community Health Center. The funds will be used, through the creation of the Integrated Behavioral and Mental Health program, to address the pressing need for mental health services for Springs residents.

This grant was made possible based on the generosity of Roland and Hazel Todd who left a significant bequest to the Sonoma Valley community.

This grant will be used to implement new programs as well as funding three professional staff: a new Director of Behavioral Health, a psychiatrist, and one additional full-time employee.

Prior to making the SVCHC grant, The Todd Trust Team, with the help of North Bay Organizing Project, conducted outreach in the Springs community, including “Come and See” meetings for church congregations and clergy, face-to-face meetings with community leaders, and group meetings with the English Learner Advisory Committees (ELAC) in the schools.

Through these informal gatherings the need for mental health services was clearly identified as one of the most pressing health issues in the Springs, according to Joshua Rymer, Sonoma Valley Fund president.

The need for mental health services is significant, Rymer said. Research has shown that more Latino youth suffer from pervasive feelings of sadness and hopelessness than whites (36% vs. 26%). In Sonoma County, 12% of Latino youth have attempted suicide in the past twelve months, the highest rate of all ethnic groups. Additionally, less than 1 in 11 Latinos seek mental health care, and fewer than 1 in 5 contact general health care providers. For Latino immigrants, less than 1 in 20 seek help.

Barriers to mental health treatment include lack of culturally competent service providers, lack of awareness about issues and services, the cost of treatment and services, and language barriers, Rymer said. Providing bilingual mental health counseling, psychiatry, and substance abuse counseling is essential for access to treatment.

Rymer said the new health center location is positioned to be the primary provider of behavioral and mental health services for the Springs community. “The staff has expertise to address the representative mental health issues as well as bilingual and culturally competent counselors to be able to work with the community,” he said.

Cheryl Johnson, chief executive officer at the health center said the facility has been looking at innovative models in order to increase access to behavioral health services for the community. “We are thrilled to be able to address these needs with the support provided from the Community Foundation of Sonoma County,” she said.