eNEWS June 02, 2011

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MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION SPARKLES WITH NIGHT UNDER THE STARS
By Kathleen Piché, L.C.S.W., Public Information Office Director

Over 160 Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) staff, clients, advocates and Commissioners gathered at Catalina’s Jazz and Supper Club in Hollywood on May 26, 2011, to enjoy the 12th Annual Profiles of Hope, Wellness and Recovery Mental Health Commission Recognition and Volunteer Awards.

The evening began with a meet and greet in the outside courtyard where guests enjoyed the unusual combo of a jazz harpist and bass player. Once inside, the program commenced with John Hill, former Chief of Staff for retired Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite-Burke. John served as Master of Ceremonies, introducing Dr. Larry Gasco from the Commission, who presented a very special tribute and farewell as well as the first award of the evening to Helen Wolff, M.D., M.P.H.

Next, Delores Huffman presented the Outstanding Consumer Advocate Award to Roberta Burkenheim. A break was taken for dinner while the Straight Ahead Jazz Quintet entertained the crowd.

As part of a new tradition, the Mental Health Commission Awards themselves were re-named the Isaiah, to honor the image of “logo man” (or logo person) that former Transition Age Youth (TAY) client, Isaiah Hinnerichs, created for the department last year. Isaiah is a former TAY who shared his journey of hope, wellness and recovery of being a foster youth, homeless at 14, depressed and suicidal, last year in LACDMH’s original Profiles of Hope series.

The awards presentations continued, with Phil Fontilea, founder of Let’s Erase the Stigma (LET’S) winning the Outstanding Youth Advocacy Program Award, followed by Susan Rajlal, who presented Fred and Theresa Zullo with the Outstanding Family Member Award.

Next, Dr. Marvin J. Southard, D.S.W., LACDMH Director, presented Debbie Innes-Gomberg, Ph.D., District Chief, MHSA Implementation and Outcomes, with the Exemplary Service Award.

The last award of the evening went to Mia St. John, three-time world boxing champ, who accepted the Personal Legacy Award after the crowd watched her segment of the new LACDMH anti-stigma television series Profiles of Hope. Closing comments were made by Commissioner Frank Baron, who thanked everyone for their participation.

SASANK REDDY RECEIVES COMMENDATION FROM LAPD COMMISSION
By Karen Zarsadiaz, Public Information Officer II

On Tuesday, May 24th, the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Charlie Beck, handed over a commendation to Sasank (Sam) Reddy, R.N., a Mental Health Counselor for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH).

“It’s great being recognized by LACDMH and the LAPD. It shows the collaboration works between our departments. We’re getting a lot done,” said Reddy. “We work together to solve problems and make a real difference in people’s lives.”

On Halloween, October 31st, 2010, Reddy was involved in the rescue and intervention of a suicidal man. Since June 2005, Reddy has been a member of the System-wide Mental Assessment Response Team (SMART). With his police partners, they have responded to several attempted suicide attempts.

During the October 31st incident, Reddy arrived at the scene and immediately spoke with the man’s mother, gathering information about what triggered the suicide attempt. Reddy then helped officers by physically prying the man’s fingers from the fencing so they could stop him from jumping. He later conducted an evaluation and coordinated help for the man with hospitalization and treatment.

Afterwards, the man told the team that he was thankful for having a second chance at life. The man’s mother has said her son is progressing well and continuing treatment. She thanked the team for “giving her son back”.

Overall, co-workers acknowledge Reddy as being a valued member of SMART, having the desire to respond to mental health crisis calls and conducting effective interventions. His peers thanked him for his quick response, assistance and post-rescue mental health intervention in this life-saving incident.

REMEMBERING OUR VETERANS IN ARCADIA
By Wilfred Paltanwala, LACDMH ASOC

On Saturday, May 28, 2011, Lance & I attended the 14th annual veteran's event, “Remembering Our Veterans", at Arcadia County Park in Arcadia.

We set up a table for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) Adult System of Care (ASOC) with various resources and linkage flyers with a list of all directly-operated clinics. We also had information on the "Partners in Suicide Prevention” and "Veterans Outreach” programs.

We had a wonderful time talking to over 200 people, explaining various services through LACDMH ASOC. We also provided linkage to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) family support groups as well as family-to-family educational programs.

We spent the entire day at the veteran’s event. The highlight of the program was the skydivers and flyover by World War II fighter planes.

We were honored to have Los Angeles County Supervisor, Mayor Michael D. Antonovich, drop by our informational booth and chat with us about our outreach and current programs.

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THE HANGOVER PART II
By Lorraine Viade, Psy.D.

Ever wonder if lightning can strike twice in the same place? Well, it did this time with The Hangover Part II. Using the same cast and tried and true formula, this time the motley crew of guys-gone-wild gets ready to send another one of their bros down the aisle, and the result is a lot of monkey business – literally!! This is the mirror image of the recent hit Bridesmaids in that it tests the limits of friendship, and demonstrates that you can feel a great deal of affection for someone even if they get completely under your last nerve.

Don’t leave the theater until the credits roll. Once again, looking at those photos is the icing on the wedding cake. While the original is still a solid classic, this date with fate holds up well under the sequel test. There is a little more dark humor in this romp but nothing that fans of the original can’t handle. The setting is perfect for this misadventure. There must be a third because the misfit needs to find his mate!

What I like about these films is the strength of the characters and the way they really care and look out for each other. After awhile, you really believe that you are there with them. There are some hilarious rehearsal dinner speeches and some cultural differences explored that ring true if you have ever been to a wedding where the groom did not match the bride’s traditional culture.

The other thing I enjoyed was watching the characters grow and change and develop even tighter bonds to one another. The screenplay is excellent at creating real synergy between the actors and their roles. They really fit well together.

The Hangover Part II is a great character study in how men deal with trouble and how nothing really matters when you find the one you love. Nothing can keep you from them. A good date night movie.

I give The Hangover Part II four couches.

GREEK CHICKEN SALAD
By Kimberli Washington, ITC/Public Information Office

Ingredients:

2 ½ pounds of roasted or grilled chicken breast, sliced
Ready-made Spring Mix Salad (available in the produce section)
½ cup of cooked penne pasta ( optional)
Small red onion, finely diced
1 small cucumber, cut into spears
Cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
Black olives, whole
Greek salad dressing (try Wish Bone Greek Vinaigrette)
Feta cheese (garnish)
Cracked black pepper (optional)

Directions:

Rinse Spring Mix Salad and place in a medium serving bowl.
Add sliced chicken breast, cooked pasta, red onion, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and olives.
Lightly dress salad with Greek vinaigrette.
Garnish with feta cheese and cracked black pepper.
Serve and enjoy!!!

Disclaimer: It is the reader's responsibility to check the instructions provided, and to determine nutritional value and any possible medical condition that may arise from the consumption of the ingredients listed.

ENDS & TRENDS WITH KIM & KAREN

Interested in the latest colors of the season? Decorating tips? Suggestions for entertaining? Ideas to spruce up your own style and look?

Whether fashion, styling, party-planning or interior design, the Ends & Trends section of eNews will give you the skinny on what’s hot and what’s not.

Karen’s Tip of the Week:

Wedding Planning: It’s wedding season – and we’re in full swing! Nowadays, anything goes. Who says you have to do it the same ol’ cookie-cutter way? Definitely, not me! I say, make yours truly a personal affair.

With so many bridal magazines, advice columns, blogs, websites and friends out there to dish out the tips, how about I just share a few simple ways to personalize the look and feel of your big day?

COLOR(S): Again, anything goes! I’ve seen every color combination under the sun. And, there’s no rule in the book that says you have to have one, two or three colors. Truly, sky’s the limit. On that note, I’ve even seen patterns (like polka dots) as the “color”. Something to think about!

THEME: I love that personalization can be based around a theme. All the little touches that add to your theme help customize your wedding. For example, I’ve had friends who love to travel use maps, luggage and a globe to bring their theme to life. They used these little touches in subtle ways throughout the wedding; invitations, decorations/centerpieces, giveaways, etc.

With just color and theme alone, you can customize your wedding the way you want it!

Happy Planning!

News and Resources

PROVIDENCE JOURNAL

Trainings & Community Events

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Got a nice, memorable photo you’d like to share with your fellow Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health family?

Here’s your chance to submit a photo for publication in our eNews. If it’s selected, we’ll add it in!

To get in on the photo fun:

E-mail us an appropriate, family-friendly and tasteful picture (in jpeg form). Colorful pictures and action shots are always preferred.
Be sure the picture is in focus and ready to be published. Not too much headroom, no red eyes or blue pictures please.
Add the date of the recent photo, who/what is in it and where it was taken.
Please send us only original photos taken by you.

THIS WEEK’S PHOTO

Photo taken at a park in Paris, France and submitted by
George Collazo, Sr. Information Systems Analyst (CIOB)

CAPTION CONTEST

Got a caption for this week’s Photo of the Week? Send us your ideas, and we’ll publish the winning caption for the photo in the following week’s Photo of the Week section.

Good luck!

LAST WEEK’S PHOTO