FRESNO - Kaiser Permanente announced a $90,000 investment to support a public awareness campaign to reduce the stigma around mental illness and encourage students in the Madera Unified School District and pregnant women to seek treatment if needed. The grant is being awarded to Camarena Health – the largest healthcare provider in Madera County – and is expected to serve 2,500 high school students and 750 pregnant women accessing care in their health center.
“There are personal and social stigmas attached to accessing mental health services,” said Christine Howland, Chief Operating Officer for Camarena Health. “This money will allow us to implement an awareness campaign and break down some of those stigmas and negative perceptions.”
A total of $2 million in community health grants were awarded to 25 Northern California organizations including school districts, youth and family services and community coalitions that bring together a variety of stakeholders and agencies to serve people that historically shy away from getting mental health services.
The anti-stigma investment will support community organizations in developing trainings, public forums and awareness campaigns that are customized for specific populations. This is the first part of a three-year initiative.
“Many people are afraid to seek care, even in times of crisis, because of the stigma associated with mental illness,” Kaiser Permanente Fresno Mental Health Chief Marta Obler, MD, said.
Camarena Health plans to reach high school students – particularly those at Madera South where they have a school-based health clinic – by providing them with educational materials, training and peer counseling, so they know how to access mental health services available at their school or in the community.
Camarena Health also plans to educate pregnant women about postpartum depression and other mental health conditions.
Addressing stigma is a major priority for Kaiser Permanente, and the investments in Northern California are designed to complement the Find Your Words campaign the organization launched in 2016 with partners including the National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Crisis Text Line and Mental Health America.
“Kaiser Permanente has always been a great partner with us and very forward-thinking in how they invest resources in the community,” Howland said. “We know this money will make a difference in breaking down barriers when it comes to accessing care and encouraging people to have an open discussion and dialogue around these important mental health issues.”
