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Strategic Priorities 2010-2013

Ranked Content Areas | Priority Statements

The mission of Mental Health of America of San Diego County supports seven content areas identified in the National Strategic Plan adopted by Mental Health America in 2008. Through a local planning process funded by The California Endowment and The Parker Family Foundation, MHASD asked 107 key informants and community stakeholders to complete the following sentence: “In order to contribute to the mental health of San Diego County, MHASD needs to…”

MHASD considers the top three community-ranked responses to be a strong mandate, and assigns each of these content areas a “priority” status to sharpen its focus over the next three years.

Community-Ranked Content Areas Where MHASD Should Focus Its Resources
Public Awareness and Education Leadership & Partnership Advocacy Workforce Development Knowledge to Practice Information Referral / Linkage to Services Delivery of Direct Client Services	(26.2%) (20.1%) (16.7%) (10.7%) (10.9%) (8.7%) (5.4%)

Priority Statements

MHASD selects the following Priority Statements within each of the three highest ranked areas:

Public Awareness and Education — An organized, tested, externally focused effort to educate the general public regarding the centrality of mental health and substance use issues to overall health. Messages must be audience relevant and culturally sensitive. Education also includes programs geared towards clients and providers.

1. MHASD will focus on reducing stigma relating to mental illness and addictive diseases.
2. MHASD will promote the connection of physical health and its impact on mental health and wellness.

Leadership & Partnership — Defines MHA as a critical entity in the ongoing fight for mental wellness, recovery for both individual and population health. Provides local community leadership to bring people together to advocate, raise public awareness and partners with other community groups to address issues of mental health, mental illness and substance use conditions in our community.

1. MHASD will focus on increasing the coordination and communication with mental health and with our aligned community partners to address common issues.
2. MHASD will work to improve communications/collaboration between the public and private mental health systems.

Advocacy — An organized program of communication and political activities intended to affect policy, opinion or practice through persuasion and/or popular pressure.

1. MHASD will advocate for integration and coordination of physical health and behavioral health (mental health and substance abuse use addictions).
2. MHASD will focus on decreasing fragmentation and increasing access to mental health services in San Diego, and to building a strong continuum of care.