LAKE COUNTY – Lake County Mental Health Services is announcing the commencement of the required Community Planning Process for the Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) component of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). MHSA describes the PEI component as programs and interventions at the early end of the spectrum of mental health diagnosis.

Prevention in mental health involves reducing risk factors or stressors, building protective factors and skills and increasing support. Prevention promotes positive cognitive, social and emotional development and encourages a state of well-being that allows the individual to function well in the face of changing and sometimes challenging circumstances.

MHSA calls for an approach to prevention that is integrated, accessible, culturally competent, strengths-based, effective, and that targets investments with the aim of avoiding costs (in human suffering and resources) for treatment services.

Early intervention is directed toward individuals and families for whom a short-duration (usually less than one year), relatively low-intensity intervention is appropriate to measurably improve a mental health problem or concern very early in its manifestation, thereby avoiding the need for more extensive mental health treatment or services; or to prevent a mental health problem from getting worse.

For individuals participating in PEI programs, the early intervention element:

• Addresses a condition early in its manifestation.

• Is of relatively low intensity.

• Is of relatively short duration (usually less than one year).

• Has the goal of supporting well-being in major life domains and avoiding the need for more extensive mental health services.

• May include individual screening for confirmation of potential mental health needs.

PEI programs have the following characteristics:

• Consistent with MHSA transformational principles; potential program participants and their families are involved in planning; implementing and evaluating PEI programs.

• Programs are often designed and implemented in collaboration with other systems and/or organizations.

• Programs are generally delivered in a natural community setting.

• Programs link individual participants who are perceived to need assessment or extended treatment for mental illness or emotional disturbance to County Mental Health, the primary care provider or another appropriate mental health services provider. Programs help individuals navigate to obtain needed services.

• Programs recognize the underlying role of poverty and other environmental and social factors that impact individuals’ wellness, therefore programs also help link individuals and family members to other needed services provided by grassroots organizations and local agencies, particularly in the areas of substance abuse treatment; community, family or sexual violence prevention and intervention; and basic needs, such as food, housing and employment.

• Programs are consistent with non-supplant requirements, collaboration and leveraging principles and all MHSA statutory and regulatory requirements.

Meetings are scheduled:

• Monday, Dec. 1, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., Robinson Rancheria Banquet Center in Nice;

• Tuesday, Dec. 2, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., Clearlake Senior Center in Clearlake.

• Thursday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Calpine Geothermal Center in Middletown.

• Friday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Konocti Vista Casino Banquet Room in Lakeport.

For more information, call Holly at 263-4338, Extension 250.

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