Meet RAMS – Angela Tang, LCSW

On May 3, 2011, in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors honored one individual in each supervisorial district for “public recognition of distinction and merit for outstanding service”. We are proud to announce that Supervisor Eric Mar awarded RAMS Director of Operations Angela Tang, LCSW with a Certificate of Honor as the individual representing the Richmond District of San Francisco. Ms. Tang received commendation for her hard work and dedication with over six years of service at RAMS, and for her commitment to serving the Asian American community in the Richmond District, and the greater San Francisco area.

Please join RAMS in congratulating Angela Tang for this great honor, and in congratulating and celebrating all 11 honorees of the various San Francisco districts!

Asian Pacific American Mental Health Awareness Panel on May 9

As part of the many activities in celebration of Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day on May 10, as well as Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, the College of San Mateo shall be presenting an Asian Pacific American Mental Health Awareness Panel, featuring a panel presentation from RAMS staff.

WHEN:   May 09, 2011 from 1:10 pm - 2:45 pm.

WHERE: College of San Mateo, 1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd.San Mateo, CA 94402, Building 10, Room 192

               

Representatives from RAMS will be speaking about the importance of mental health and culturally-competent services in the A/PI community.  Attendees can learn about working in the mental health profession, challenges, and issues specific to the A/PI communities. This is a free event, open to the public.  Light refreshments shall be provided.

Speakers:
Kavoos G. Bassiri, LMFT, CGP, President & CEO of RAMS, Inc.
Dr. Stephanie Chen, Ph.D., Mental Health Consultant, RAMS Fu Yau Project
Dr. Shyam Kotagal, Psy.D., Clinical Supervisor, RAMS PAES Counseling & Pre-Vocational Services Program

Can Nguyen, M.S., Mental Health Counselor, RAMS Adult Outpatient Clinic

(Click on image to enlarge)

A Little Story About a Little Spending Money

There have been many organizations and individuals in San Francisco who have given assistance and support to Japan disaster relief efforts.  One story that caught the attention of Barbara Garcia, MPA, Director of Health - San Francisco Department of Public Health was about the residents and staff of the RAMS Broderick St Adult Residential Facility.  Here's what appeared in her Director's Report, as presented to the SF Health Commission on April 5:

Broderick Street: A Little Story About A Little Spending Money

Twice each week the residents of the Broderick Street Adult Residential Facility (33-bed occupancy), a Direct Access to Housing program, come together for a community meeting. The residents who call Broderick home have both medical & behavioral health conditions and live on fixed incomes that give them an average of $125/month for spending money. At the community meeting shortly after the Japan earthquake and tsunami, RAMS Administrator at Broderick, Michael Badolato, noticed an especially somber atmosphere among the residents, many of whom have a difficult time articulating feelings. But on this particular occasion, it became apparent that the tragic events in Japan, along with the images of the terrible suffering of the victims, were affecting even the Broderick residents. A discussion about feelings of helplessness and overwhelming sadness for the people in Japan lead to a suggestion that making a donation to the relief efforts would be something they could do, and make a difference, in the face of so much devastation. Michael Badolato inspired the residents: he would match out of his own pocket any money that the residents contributed. The residents came back the next week with $150, matched by Michael for a total of $300. And because good deeds can frequently inspire more good deeds, the staff at the Broderick also raised and contributed another $150.

     Last week, Michael Badolato had the distinct honor of delivering $450 to the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California from the 33 residents & staff of Broderick. RAMS is involved in variety of Japan relief efforts. I know the Health Commissioners join me in thanking the Broderick residents, Michael Badolato, and the staff at RAMS for this moving gesture.

Meet RAMS - Shana Averbach

The Wellness Centers is a collaboration with leadership from the SF Department of Children, Youth and Their Families (DCYF), Department of Public Health (DPH), San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), and RAMS. Confidential student services are provided on-site at 15 Wellness Centers located in SFUSD high schools, at which RAMS provides the integrated behavioral health services component (mental health & substance abuse). This includes confidential on-site Mental Health and Substance Abuse Assessments, Individual and Group Psychotherapy, Crisis Intervention/Consultation, Grief & Loss/Trauma Counseling, Referrals to community resources, and Consultation to school staff and community.

One Wellness Center serving two distinct communities under one roof is located at The Ruth Asawa School of the Arts and Academy of Arts & Sciences high schools. This Wellness Center is in its fifth year and serves a diverse student population of nearly 1000 students. Shana Averbach, the full-time Behavioral Health Counselor, in addition to providing direct services to students, consulting with parents and teachers, and collaborating with community resources, believes that educating the entire school community about holistic health topics is key to supporting youth and families. She, in collaboration with her wellness team and student advisers puts out five newsletters per year, addressing mental health issues, providing nutrition and physical health information, and providing a space for parent/student dialogue.

Check out the first three newsletters by clicking HERE.

Photo credit - ydhsu on Flickr

RAMS Honors Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day – May 10

Richmond Area Multi-Services, Inc. (RAMS) is honoring “Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day” on May 10th which was first established in 2010, as declared by the State of California and the City & County of San Francisco, recognizing the importance of raising awareness about mental health in the Asian Pacific American community.

“Given the traditionally low rates of mental health utilization within this [Asian American] community, it is our belief that the creation of day to promote greater awareness of the mental health issues facing various Asian American and Pacific Islander communities is a critical and much-needed act of advocacy,” stated Dr. Gordon Nagayama Hall, President of the Asian American Psychological Association. Approximately 25% of Americans in a given year are impacted by mental health conditions regardless of gender, age, race, religion and socioeconomic status, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

In honoring Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day in 2011, RAMS is pleased to present an all-day training event “Asian Pacific American Mental Health: Knowing Our Roots and Growing Beyond” on May 10th which will be held at the State Building, Milton Marks Auditorium. The event features an exciting panel of presenters: Dr. Alvin N. Alvarez, Dr. Jean Lau Chin, Dr. DJ Ida, and Dr. Stanley Sue, and facilitated by Kavoos G. Bassiri. The presenters are recognized leaders, trailblazers, and legends in the field of mental health and working with Asian Pacific Americans. This training is funded by Mental Health Services Act and offered to the community through a collaboration of RAMS and Harm Reduction Therapy Center - Training Institutes. Please contact RAMS for more information.

The establishment of Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day was an effort spearheaded by RAMS along with California State Senator Leland Y. Yee, Ph.D. and San Francisco Board of Supervisor (District 1) Eric Mar. It was overwhelmingly supported by many major associations and community coalitions. “Since May is already established nationally as the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, instituting this day in May more closely aligns both awareness efforts,” says Kavoos G. Bassiri, President & CEO of RAMS, Inc.

Humanitarian Asians and Pacific Islanders (HAPI) Fundraising Hour for Japan on March 31

The shock and sadness of the news coming out of Japan as a result of the March 11 earthquake, the tsunami, and subsequent nuclear emergencies have touched many of us at RAMS. We join the world’s communities in sending our deepest sympathies to those people in Japan, the Bay Area, the US, and other countries abroad, whose lives, families, and friends were impacted by these events. No doubt it will take a long time to rebuild the country, and perhaps even longer for the physical, emotional, and mental recovery of people affected by this tragedy.

RAMS and its staff have been reaching out and working together with many other organizations to provide assistance, support, and manpower in this time of great need. One way in which you can aid RAMS in our efforts is to join us at the upcoming HAPI Hour for Japan.

When: March 31st 2011, 5:00-9:00pm
Where: Recess, 443 Broadway Street, San Francisco

Proceeds will go to NORTHERN JAPAN EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND spearheaded by the Japanese Cultural Community Center of Northern California, an organization with disaster relief experience in Japan, focused on relief, recovery and rebuilding.

100% of funds go to the people who need it most… the victims.

Optional donations will be accepted at the door: $5-20 Suggested (100% of the door proceeds will go to the Northern Japan Relief Fund).
In addition, 40% of the bar proceeds (as well as the hors d'ouvres) will be graciously donated by Anna Tran (the owner of RECESS).
DJ Boy Wonder, DJ eHash and DJ Thaifoon are also donating their services.

Click HERE for more information about the HAPI Hour event.
Click HERE for more fundraising events and information from the JCCCNC about the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund

Sponsoring Organization: National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP–SF)

Co-sponsoring Organizations: Bay Area Benefit, DAE Advertising, Taiwanese American Professionals, Asian Business League, Project by Project, Oriented, American Legion Cathay Post #384, KollaborationSF, Corporate Asian American Employee Network (CAAEN), Richmond Area Multi-Services, SF Samoa, Samoan Parents in Action, Fa'atasi (Together as One), Together Samoa, OLO - One Love Oceania, UTOPIA, Samoan Solutions, Pacific Health Club, Tongan Interfaith Council, Mission District Re-Entry Center, APOP Hawaiian Cultural Center, Books for the Barrios, Vive SF and many more to be announced.

Host Committee: Keesa Ocampo, Keith Kamisugi, Derek Choy, Eli Kuo, Yumi Chang, Christopher Do, Hon. Greg Chew, Hon. Igor Tregub, Jason Overman and many more to be announced

Community Partners: The Tides Foundation

Glide Community Wellness Fair on April 8

Public Invited for Free Diabetes, Blood Pressure and HIV Screenings and to
Learn Healthy Tips on Stress Reduction, Nutrition, Meditation and More

GLIDE Health Services is teaming up with Bay Area organizations to bring the GLIDE Community Wellness Fair to San Francisco’s Tenderloin District on Friday, April 8, 2011. Community members will learn healthy tips about stress reduction, nutrition, mind health, social health, yoga, meditation, and acupuncture. Other free services include free screenings for diabetes and depression, blood pressure measurements, and HIV Rapid Tests.

The Fair will also feature health related products and information from local vendors, fun activities, prizes and more. GLIDE Community Wellness Fair is free and open to the public.

Location: GLIDE, 330 Ellis St., San Francisco, Freedom Hall (1st Floor)
Date: Friday, April 8
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm

Event Sponsors include:

• GLIDE Health Services
• Alliant University
• CLASP
• CIIS
• Hospitality House
• Mental Health Alliance-SF
• RAMS, Inc.
• SF Psych Association
• SF Suicide Prevention
• YMCA