SECTIONS 5840-5840.2 - California Statutes

WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE

SECTION 5840-5840.2

5840. (a) The State Department of Mental Health shall establish a
program designed to prevent mental illnesses from becoming severe and
disabling. The program shall emphasize improving timely access to
services for underserved populations.
(b) The program shall include the following components:
(1) Outreach to families, employers, primary care health care
providers, and others to recognize the early signs of potentially
severe and disabling mental illnesses.
(2) Access and linkage to medically necessary care provided by
county mental health programs for children with severe mental
illness, as defined in Section 5600.3, and for adults and seniors
with severe mental illness, as defined in Section 5600.3, as early in
the onset of these conditions as practicable.
(3) Reduction in stigma associated with either being diagnosed
with a mental illness or seeking mental health services.
(4) Reduction in discrimination against people with mental
illness.
(c) The program shall include mental health services similar to
those provided under other programs effective in preventing mental
illnesses from becoming severe, and shall also include components
similar to programs that have been successful in reducing the
duration of untreated severe mental illnesses and assisting people in
quickly regaining productive lives.
(d) The program shall emphasize strategies to reduce the following
negative outcomes that may result from untreated mental illness:
(1) Suicide.
(2) Incarcerations.
(3) School failure or dropout.
(4) Unemployment.
(5) Prolonged suffering.
(6) Homelessness.
(7) Removal of children from their homes.
(e) In consultation with mental health stakeholders, the
department shall revise the program elements in Section 5840
applicable to all county mental health programs in future years to
reflect what is learned about the most effective prevention and
intervention programs for children, adults, and seniors.

5840.2. (a) The department shall contract for the provision of
services pursuant to this part with each county mental health program
in the manner set forth in Section 5897.