The state of mental health services in California

In 2004, California voters passed Proposition 63, also known as the Mental Health Services Act, which was designed to expand and transform the state’s county mental health service systems. This legislation has helped the development of many programs geared towards improving health access, providing housing for homeless individuals and reducing mental health stigma.

Stanford child and adolescent psychiatrist Victor Carrion, MD, has served as chair of the Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission, which was formed to oversee these programs. In this podcast, Carrion, joined by Toby Ewing, the commission’s executive director, discuss the group’s work and the innovative programs addressing the state’s mental illness issues in adults and children.