<p> The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) of 2004 was analysed using David Gil&rsquo;s (1992) analytic framework. The strengths and weaknesses of the Act were assessed and special attention was placed on transitional age youth (TAY) who are consumers of Full Service Parternship (FSP) services in Los Angeles County. This analysis found that there have been some improvements in the provision of services to TAY as a result of the MHSA (2004). However, TAY continue to be a group that remains underserved despite the availability of MHSA (2004) funds. The lack of infrastructure of Department of Mental Health to oversee MHSA (2004) funded projects is likely one of the main reasons why new programs for TAY have not been developed. This analysis did find that TAY, who have been served under MHSA (2004) funded programs, have lower rates of incarceration and hospitalization. The recommendations for social work practice, policy and research are discussed.</p>

<p> Many Filipino Americans experience mental health disparities, yet they are the ethnic group least likely to seek mental health services. When left untreated, the severity of the original mental health needs may increase and lead to additional behavioral health concerns. The purpose of the proposed short-term mental health program is to provide culturally sensitive psycho-education to address the barriers many Filipino Americans face when seeking mental health services. The psycho-education topics will include general mental health education, mental health experience for Filipino Americans, the barriers faced by this population, how to communicate about mental health disparities and mental health resources. With potential funding support from the California Wellness Foundation, whose mission is to improve the health of underserved and low-income Californians, this program will be made available to bridge the gaps in access and quality mental health care at Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI) Wellness Center in Filipinotown of Los Angeles, California. The actual submission or funding of this grant was not required for the successful completion of this grant proposal.</p>

<p>Research has shown that the effects of maternal stress, alcohol use, and depression can have lasting effects on offspring. These effects can lead to negative outcomes with her daughter, specifically depression and substance use. These compounding issues can then lead to communication issues between the mother/daughter pair. This secondary data analysis study of a longitudinal community dyadic sample of 811 mothers and daughter pairs sought to determine the impact of these negative maternal effects on daughter depression, alcohol use, communication between the pair, and later risky sexual behavior. Using regression analysis with mediation, results indicated that a relationship exists between mother alcohol use and daughter risky sexual behavior only when daughter alcohol use was present. High communication with the mother lead to a decrease in daughter depression. Mother depression predicted daughter depression whereas mother alcohol use predicted daughter alcohol use and daughter depression. While a negative outcome, risky sexual behavior can be seen as a coping strategy for daughters? experiencing a difficult environment and this coping mechanism may bring them temporary feelings of love and importance.

<p> Previous research has confirmed that neighborhood level social factors (e.g. crime, safety) present chronic stressors that increase risk for depression in residents of economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. U.S. Latinos experience higher levels of poverty and thus are more likely to live in poor neighborhoods. In this study it was hypothesized that adult Latina women who reported (1) higher levels of worry regarding the general safety of their household children in the neighborhood, (2) higher levels of worry regarding influence of bad friends on their household children, and (3) higher levels of worry regarding their household children being exposed to drugs and alcohol, would also report higher levels of depression after controlling for the individual level characteristics of level of acculturation, education, age, income and marital status. This study used a cross-sectional survey design and a convenience sample of 136 Latina women. Depression was measured using the CES-D Spanish version. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the first step consisting of control variables was significantly correlated with depression, <i>R</i>² =.14, F (5,130) =4.261, p = .001. In step two, after entering the neighborhood level variables, the resulting <i> R</i>² increased significantly, <i>R</i>² = .21, F (1, 129) = 10.937, p &lt; .001. The relationship between depression and each CES-D subscale was also explored. Understanding both micro and macro level factors that contribute to depression is essential for developing complex multi-level explanatory models and designing effective interventions. This study contributes to an emerging critical framework that illustrates how public policy influences the more proximal mechanisms that contribute to mental health and health problems.</p>

<p> College counseling centers have adapted through the years to operate in an environment that has undergone frequent changes since such services were first implemented, over 100 years ago. As counseling centers continue to be faced with an increase in the number of students who need mental health services, as well as a continued increase of fiscal pressures that make providing adequate services difficult, both the students and staff must seek new ways of improving current services. Therefore, the utilization of an appreciative action research inquiry (AARI) involved the engagement of university staff, faculty, and students in developing a task force, which looked at ways to improve the current mental health services based on input obtained from individual interviews with the stakeholders: students, faculty, and staff. A qualitative method of data collection consisted of unstructured individual interviews of the members of the task force, a member-check, and field notes. Utilizing epiphanic data analysis proved best. This AARI project explored collaboratively the strengths and weaknesses of the current mental health services currently offered on campus. The AARI provided opportunities for stakeholders to advocate for improvements to the current mental health services on campus as well as recognize the existing strengths. Identified needed improvements that emerged from the date included increased advertisement of the available services, increased education about the need for mental health services, and the necessity for increased awareness of overall mental health services on campus. </p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to write a grant proposal to develop a mental health program for foreign born Latinos with depression. The goal of this project is to provide mental health services consisting of individual and group therapy to this at risk group in Service Provider Area 6 (SPA 6).</p><p> Research shows that SPA 6 in Los Angeles County is an area lacking adequate mental health services for foreign born Latinos. SHIELDS for Families, Inc. is the target agency chosen to provide services with staff co-located at St. Francis Medical Center in the city of Lynwood. The California Wellness Foundation was chosen as the funding source.</p><p> If funded, the project would provide culturally modified treatment in depression at no cost to adult Latino immigrants, a high risk group, in SPA 6. Actual submission of this grant was not a requirement for this project. </p>

<p> This quantitative study investigates the relationship between video game usage, video game addiction, compulsive Internet use, and subjective well-being. The key variables were measured using three different scales: The Game Addiction Scale; the Compulsive Internet Use Scale; and the Flourishing scale. 121 participants over the age of 18 partook in the study. The empirical results demonstrate a statistically significant, negative correlation between addictive video game usage and well-being. Video game addiction and compulsive Internet use were both found to be negatively correlated with subjective well-being.</p>

Impact of psychoeducational advocacy training as compared to psychoeducational support group as an empowering tool for female survivors of domestic violence

<p> The purpose of this thesis project was to write a grant proposal to secure funding for &ldquo;Power to the She,&rdquo; a program for low-income, single African American mothers with children in the child welfare system. A literature review was conducted to examine topics related to mental health issues among African American women and how they impact parenting. The purpose of the proposed program was to improve the emotional, mental state, and overall functioning of low-income, single African American mothers involved in the child welfare system through the implementation of services such as culturally congruent and trauma focused group therapy, self-esteem building, parenting trainings, and empowerment presentations to facilitate dialogue around systems of oppressions that impact their daily lives. The Jason Hayes Foundation was identified as the potential funder. The actual submission or funding of this grant proposal was not a requirement for the successful completion of the project.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to write a grant proposal to fund educational workshops for members of multi-disciplinary teams of professionals who work with people who hoard. The overall goal of the workshops is to educate the members of multi-disciplinary teams on hoarding in Orange County, California as well as members of the community. An extensive literature review on hoarding was conducted to increase knowledge on hoarding behavior, hoarding disorder, engagement, assessment, interventions, members of agencies and organizations working as a multi-disciplinary team and community resources. After researching for funding, The California Wellness Foundation was selected for this submission of the grant proposal. The host group of the proposed program was the Orange County Task Force on Hoarding. The actual submission and/or the funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of this project. </p>