The launching of a new series of episodes on this podcast, COMMENTARIES FROM THE EDGE, is covering important aspects of innovative and powerfully effective ways of supporting and promoting mental health. The projects, beginning with what is called the Peer Resource Centers, are part of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) in California. Given that many people will not enter into offices that are part of a traditional governmental program, with the operation of these Centers you have, “a welcoming place where everyone coming for help is greeted by others who also have faced emotional difficulties” - surrounded by warm and caring individuals with the “lived experience”.
In these two episodes you will hear from outstanding staff at LACDMH, Catherine Clay and Joseph Cuevas in Episode #1 and Tosha Sweet and Tammy Lofton in Episode #2. Each of them will be describing the kind of successes in mental health programming that is possible, and through their stories show how this approach is needed in neighborhoods across all communities.
The LACDMH 24/7 access number for help is 1-800-854-7771
The National Suicide Crisis Lifeline is #988
