RUHS director highlights Mental Health Awareness Month, mobile crisis teams and youth PSA contest

Dr. Matthew Chang, director of Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health, presented to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors on Mental Health Awareness Month, emphasizing prevention, early intervention and county services.

Chang said nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness and highlighted RUHS offerings including mental-health urgent care facilities, 24/7 mobile crisis teams and prevention programs targeted to youth. He listed upcoming community events held as part of Mental Health Month, including a May 2 event in Indio, a May 9 event in San Jacinto (Valley Wide Recreation and Park District, 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) and a Riverside event at Fairmount Park on May 23 (11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.). Chang also promoted ‘Directing Change,’ a youth contest that produces 60-second PSAs and noted a screening and awards ceremony at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside on May 16 at 5 p.m.

Chang cited data from a 2021 study about youth mental-health indicators and described RUHS-run fairs and community events as part of the county’s year-round behavioral-health commitments. He encouraged residents to access RUHS resources and noted a crisis helpline number (as provided by staff during the presentation).

Supervisors thanked Chang for the presentation; no formal board action was required for the informational item.