Berkeley community forum to address mental health issues

The Berkeley Community Mental Health Center will spotlight statewide initiatives and local community efforts at its community forum July 26. The initiatives and programs that will be highlighted have yet to be determined.

The event is designed for interested parties in local mental health services, related agencies and local government to get together and discuss the progress made on issues identified in a previous forum, said Tracy LaPointe, public information specialist for the Department of Mental Health.

“It is a chance for the Department of Mental Health to meet with representatives in each area to brainstorm, identify and address problems and collaborate on projects.” LaPointe said.

Center Director Debbie Calcote will fill participants in on new efforts and update them on the progress of existing programs and collaborations.

“The forum is really an information-sharing and problem-solving event,” said LaPointe.

This will be the second forum that the Department of Mental Health has held in Berkeley. The first one was held in October 2010. Each hospital, health center and nursing home in the agency hosts one of these meetings, according to LaPointe.

Individual speakers for the forum are currently being lined up, though DMH State Director John H. Magill will give an address to attendees.

Invitations were sent out to raise awareness of the event, and the public is welcome to attend.

Reach Tyler Simpson at 937-5925 or @tylersimpsonmix on Twitter