Orange County marks Mental Health Awareness and Older Americans months; officials highlight services and resources
May 07, 2024 | Orange County, California
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The Orange County Board of Supervisors opened its May 7 meeting with proclamations recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month and Older Americans Month, and supervisors used the observances to spotlight county programs and resource links.
Chair Don Wagner introduced the mental health proclamation and invited Health Care Agency staff forward. Vice Chair Doug Chaffee, identifying himself as a board district supervisor, said the county's Condition of Children report showed troubling trends: an 8.5% increase in reported depression among 11th graders and that suicide has become a leading cause of death among 10'14-year-olds locally. "To all those in our community that are suffering from a mental health condition or crisis, remember, you're not alone, and recovery is possible," Chaffee said.
Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento (Second District) called for prevention and broader access to services, pointing to disparities in utilization among Latino residents and noting that "CalOptima approved $25,000,000 in funding for all 29 Orange County school districts to boost access to behavioral health for K through 12 children," which now includes telehealth services for CalOptima members.
Dr. Veronica Kelly, introduced by the board as director of the Orange County Health Care Agency, urged concrete, everyday steps residents can take to support one another'"ask questions" and "listen"'and listed resources for those in crisis. "If you are struggling with a mental health concern or you know someone who is, please reach out. Help is available. You don't need insurance," Kelly said, directing residents to 988, the OC Linx line (855-OC-LINX), and ocnavigator.org.
The board then recognized Older Americans Month. Chillemi Meredith, introduced as chair of the county's Aging Advisory Committee, and supervisors praised county programs and community partners for services to older adults and for efforts to close the digital divide; the Office on Aging phone line was provided as a local point of contact.
Why it matters: Supervisors used ceremonial recognitions to surface program funding and operational details that affect large local populations'students and older adults'and to remind residents where to find help and navigation services. The board did not take policy action tied to the proclamations at this meeting; staff and supervisors framed the remarks as outreach and acknowledgement of ongoing programs.
What's next: Supervisors moved into routine business after the proclamations; several related Health Care Agency and social services contracts later on the agenda were approved without extended debate.
Chair Don Wagner introduced the mental health proclamation and invited Health Care Agency staff forward. Vice Chair Doug Chaffee, identifying himself as a board district supervisor, said the county's Condition of Children report showed troubling trends: an 8.5% increase in reported depression among 11th graders and that suicide has become a leading cause of death among 10'14-year-olds locally. "To all those in our community that are suffering from a mental health condition or crisis, remember, you're not alone, and recovery is possible," Chaffee said.
Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento (Second District) called for prevention and broader access to services, pointing to disparities in utilization among Latino residents and noting that "CalOptima approved $25,000,000 in funding for all 29 Orange County school districts to boost access to behavioral health for K through 12 children," which now includes telehealth services for CalOptima members.
Dr. Veronica Kelly, introduced by the board as director of the Orange County Health Care Agency, urged concrete, everyday steps residents can take to support one another'"ask questions" and "listen"'and listed resources for those in crisis. "If you are struggling with a mental health concern or you know someone who is, please reach out. Help is available. You don't need insurance," Kelly said, directing residents to 988, the OC Linx line (855-OC-LINX), and ocnavigator.org.
The board then recognized Older Americans Month. Chillemi Meredith, introduced as chair of the county's Aging Advisory Committee, and supervisors praised county programs and community partners for services to older adults and for efforts to close the digital divide; the Office on Aging phone line was provided as a local point of contact.
Why it matters: Supervisors used ceremonial recognitions to surface program funding and operational details that affect large local populations'students and older adults'and to remind residents where to find help and navigation services. The board did not take policy action tied to the proclamations at this meeting; staff and supervisors framed the remarks as outreach and acknowledgement of ongoing programs.
What's next: Supervisors moved into routine business after the proclamations; several related Health Care Agency and social services contracts later on the agenda were approved without extended debate.
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