Mission Statement
The Mental Health Association of San Mateo County (MHA), a nonprofit organization, enriches quality of life, restores dignity, and reduces homelessness, particularly for those affected by mental illness and HIV/AIDS. MHA strengthens hope by providing shelter, support and opportunities for socialization.
MHA's Friendship Centers have provided social and recreational opportunities for
individuals with mental illness in the community since 1970. In addition to providing
rehabilitation, these programs have helped individuals successfully remain housed in
the community and live healthy, high-quality lives.
Please join us for a celebration on:
Monday, February 22, 2010
from 2:30-4:30 pm
Sequoia Healthcare District awarded MHA a grant to provide medical case management and education at Belmont Apartments, a 25-unit apartment building that is home to adults with mental illness. The Sequoia Healthcare District provides funding for a registered nurse (RN) to work with individual residents on medical case management, medication management, and other health issues to help improve the residents' quality of life and help them maintain their housing. The need for this help has been increasingly recognized and critical due to the fact that Belmont Apartments residents fit the profile of individuals in our community who are most likely to suffer from the existing health care disparity concerns.
The nurse assists residents with learning how to take their medication properly, helping them follow prescribed healthcare regimens, and educating them about proper hygiene, diet, and other health-related issues. It has been well documented that individuals with mental illness live years less than the general population. We hope that with the support of an on-site nurse we can help change this statistic.
Some success stories:
The RN has been working over the past six months with "Stacie" who has been having difficulty with medication compliance. "Stacie" receives her medication in bubble packs with the daily doses labeled. The RN meets with "Stacie" weekly and together they discuss her ability to take her meds as ordered and have come up with a labeling strategy. "Stacie" has gradually improved her compliance and, as a direct result, her symptoms have decreased and she is functioning more fully in the community. "Stacie" has expressed her appreciation for the RN's work and follow-up. She is using the information to take her medication correctly, and her pride in now being able to master this task is obvious.
"Francis" has recently undergone a gastric bypass operation in an effort to address her diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic pain. The RN has monitored her health status closely since the operation. "Francis" has successfully been able to bring her weight down and she feels better overall. However, "Francis" was still smoking. The RN's ongoing relationship with "Francis" enabled her to encourage "Francis" to stop smoking. The RN is trained in providing the Ash Kickers Smoking Cessation program through Breathe California and has held groups at Belmont Apartments. "Francis," consequently, has successfully stopped smoking. "Francis" is now much more engaged and has the energy to be more involved in Community Activities, which in turn supports her mental and physical health.
We are grateful for the support from Sequoia Healthcare District that enables us to help keep the residents healthy!
The Mental Health Association has managed
the Housing and Client Assistance Program
for individuals with HIV/AIDS since 1993.
This program helps HIV positive, low-income
residents of San Mateo County obtain and
maintain permanent housing.
