May 10 is Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day!

PRESS RELEASE - RAMS Honors Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day - May 10

Who: Honorable Edwin M. Lee, Mayor, City and County of San Francisco
Kavoos G. Bassiri, President and CEO, Richmond Area Multi-Services

Where: State Building
455 Golden Gate Ave, Milton Marks Auditorium (Lower Level)
San Francisco, CA, 94102

When: Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Press Time (9:00 – 9:30 am)

What:
SAN FRANCISCO – In honoring this year’s Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day on May 10th, Richmond Area Multi-Services, Inc. (RAMS) is holding an all day training event Asian Pacific American Mental Health: Knowing Our Roots and Growing Beyond.

To kick-off the event, Mayor Edwin M. Lee will be addressing 200+ guests on the importance of mental health and the Asian Pacific American community. Board of Supervisor Eric Mar is scheduled to also address the audience in the early afternoon. This all-day training features an exciting panel of presenters that are recognized leaders, trailblazers, and legends in the field of mental health and working with Asian Pacific Americans:
• Leland Y. Yee, Ph.D, California State Senator; Psychologist
• Alvin N. Alvarez, PhD, Professor, Dept. of Counseling, SF State University; Past President, Asian American Psychological Association
• Jean Lau Chin, PhD, ABPP, Professor, Adelphi University
• DJ Ida, PhD, Executive Director, National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association
• Stanley Sue, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Director, Center on Excellence in Diversity, Palo Alto University

Asian American Mental Health Facts:
• Approximately 25% of Americans in a given year are impacted by mental health conditions regardless of gender, age, race, religion and socioeconomic status (National Institute of Mental Health)
• Asian American girls have the highest rates of depressive symptoms of any racial/ethnic or gender group
• Asian American women ages 15-24 have a higher rate of suicide than Caucasians, African Americans and Latinos in that age group (Center for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Health Statistics)
• Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders appear to have extremely low utilization of mental health services relative to other U.S. populations (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
• Among elderly women of all ethnic or racial groups, Asian Americans have the highest suicide rate (Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Suicide)
• The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in the United States. Without treatment the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering: unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, and suicide. (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
• The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective; between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

About Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day:

Establishment of Asian Pacific American

Mental Health Day in 2010

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

Eric Mar. It was first established in 2010, as declared by the State of California and the City and County of San Francisco, recognizing the importance of raising awareness about mental health in the Asian Pacific American community.

   

On the floor of the State Senate

“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 and CEO of RAMS, Inc.





CALL FOR ACTION - Honoring Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day on May 10

Richmond Area Multi-Services, Inc. (RAMS) is reaching out to the California community to honor and recognize “Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day” on May 10th. The call for action is for community groups, organizations, coalitions, and associations; health advocates or individuals; and public officials & entities, public health departments, and other affiliates to acknowledge this day and the importance of mental health in the Asian Pacific American community by organizing an activity, making an announcement, and/or simply spreading the word to raise awareness.

Starting 2010, and each year thereafter, the State of California and City & County of San Francisco declared May 10th as Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day. This effort was spearheaded by RAMS along with State Senator Leland Y. Yee, Ph.D. and SF Board of Supervisor Eric Mar. Establishment of this day was overwhelmingly supported by many major local, statewide, and national 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.

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). “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.

In honoring Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day in 2011, RAMS is holding an all day training event “Asian Pacific American Mental Health: Knowing Our Roots and Growing Beyond” in San Francisco. 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. Joining the moderated panel discussion is also Dr. Leland Yee, Psychologist and California State Senator. 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.

Seventh Annual Richmond Community Health Festival on Saturday May 14

RAMS is proud to be a co-sponsor along with Senator Leland Yee, Supervisor Eric Mar, Kaiser Permanente, Self-Help For The Elderly, and Compassionate Community Care for the 7th Annual 2011 Richmond District Community Health Festival.

The Health Festival will feature FREE clinical health services including blood pressure tests, body mass index tests, body fat tests, allergy advice, hearing tests, eyeglass cleaning, dental screening, bone density tests, Hep B screening and medical reviews. The fair will also feature FREE giveaways, food, health education offered by more than 40 community health organizations, children’s activities and family fun.

When: Saturday, May 14, 2011, 10am-2pm

Where: Richmond Recreation Center, 251 18th Avenue, San Francisco (between California and Clement)

For more information call Alex Doniach, 415-557-7857.

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