Summer 2001
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Navigation Panel
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Inside This Issue
A Snapshot of this Year's
Conference............................................ 2
The Tarahumara and Easter Week
Celebration .............................. 3
Calendar of Events
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NAMI Family-Family Education
Program .......................................5
Conferences
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6
Letters to the Editor
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Setting The Tone For
May is Mental Health Month
Words
Steve Mayberg, State Department of Mental Health (given at this
year's conference)
I had some planned remarks that I was going to address you all
with but in looking at this illustrious panel up here and trying to
follow Susan's (Susan Mandel – president of CEO Pacific Clinics)
lead that the world changes and we have to change our responses. I
just wanted to share a little bit about me and some of my
motivations and talk abut how that fits in. As you heard my
background going to Yale and the University of Minnesota and growing
up in Minnesota. I grew up in a community where the only diversity
was whether you were Lutheran or Episcopalian (loud applause). There
were absolutely zero people of color there and I don't know if that
made me color blind or not but if you know anything about Minnesota
food, it's all white (laughter). I mean you get casseroles, you get
mashed potatoes, you get white gravy. (laughter).
So that when I came to California, it was
quite an eye opener to me that I realized that
there was a wonderful diversity that we needed
to take into account when we do things. I
thought and I think that I am open, and think
that I am sensitive, but I want to share with
you an experience I had last night. I flew down
late last night and got in about 9: 30 and I
was walking down the hall and there was some
guy coming with a beer cruising over towards
me and he's got a long coat on, shorts, a beanie,
a beard and a really East LA look (laughter)
and I can't figure out why does he want me,
what am I doing walking into the Irvine Hyatt
Regency and he goes "Dr. Mayberg," and then I
recognized the voice and it's Luis (laughter) (Luis Garcia –
Pacific Clinics). And what I realized is that once I knew the voice
I knew the heart was there, I knew the passion was there and it was
really a wonderful warm welcome but I realized how often we make
judgements about people or about situations with-out taking that
next step to figure out what's going on or what's happening. So,
Luis, I want to thank you for continuing to force me to think before
I react and I think that really should be a theme that we look at as
we look at all the changes that are occurring in our mental health
system right now. I think that the Little Hoover Report that was
just released in November has some themes that apply not only to our
mental health system but also to the issue of cultural competence.
The issues that they really address there are issues of education,
misperception, stigma and how important that is in terms of
determining whether people get services or not. That access become a
really critical issue and, part of why people don't get services, is
an issue not only of their
"When I started envisioning the idea of requiring cultural
competence in the mental health plan, it was met with two responses.
From the ethnic community, it was met with wild applause. From the
rest of the world, it was met with apathy, verging on outrage.
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Statement 1:
Personality changes with age, just like
hair color and skin texture.
False. Personality doesn't change with age. Therefore, all
old people can't be described as rigid and cantankerous. You are
what you are for as long as you live. But you can change what you do
to help yourself to good health.
Statement 2:
Sight declines with age.
False. Although changes in vision be-come
more common with age, any
change in vision, regardless of age, is
related to a specific disease. If you are
having problems with your vision, see
your doctor.
Irvine, California – March 5, 2001, as the clouds loomed
overhead and the weather fore-cast predicting a heavy downpour, we
kicked off the second annual multicultural conference –
"Towards an Inclusive Multicultural Agenda." Doug Barton
the Deputy Agency Director of Behavioral Health Services gave a warm
welcome to begin the morning program and asked folks to "enjoy
and have a productive meeting." The CEO/ President for Pacific
Clinics – Susan Mandel, Ph. D., followed and suggested that the
conference was reflective of her "4 Cs" philosophy of
"Community based, Collaborative, Cost Effective and Culturally
Competent." Dr. Steve Mayberg – Director of the State
Department of Mental Health, set the tone with an interesting and
compelling talk that is featured in this news-letter. The morning
opening remarks where rounded out by Supervisor Cynthia Coad and
highlighted by her project in the Islands communities of El Modena
and La Colonia Independencia. Plenary speakers Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola
and Michael Smith began the conference presenting "Linking
Research with Practice and Policy: A Case Example for Reducing
Mental
Health Disparities in Latinos" and "Herbal
Medications," respectively. Participants adjourned to the
outdoors to enjoy the sunny day and the beautiful Pavilion where
the festive sounds of the Mariachis set the tone for a multicultural
dining experience. The afternoon workshops commenced, allowing
participants to choose from a variety of topics, including:
African-Centered Psychology: An Inclusive Approach for all Mental
Health Professionals by Dr. Marcia Moody, Treatment of Asian
Pacifica Islander Adolescents and their Families by Dr. Glenn
Masuda, Introduction to Working with Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual
Clients by Dr. Chris-tine Browning, Genealogical Phototherapy by Dr.
Gerardo D. Canul, Culture and Sexuality, by Dr. Michael Gonzales
and Dual Diagnosis from a Cultural Perspective: A Panel
Presentation. An estimated 600 participants from 80 different
agencies and 9 different counties, joined us at this event hosted by
the County of Orange and Pacific Clinics. Direct consumers, their
family members, and students from over 8 universities were also in
attendance, helping to round out the experience. Some 25 different
exhibitors, some coming from as far away as the State capital, came
out in full force to support this event. The exhibitor booths
represented a diverse group of agencies that address the needs of
older adults, children, consumers, multicultural populations as well
as providers. Specials thanks to the Platinum exhibitors including
Refugio para Ninos (foster care agency), St. Joseph's Hospital
System, College Health Enterprises, and B. R. I. D. G. E. S., Inc.
Thanks to all the attendees, exhibitors, facilitators and presenters
for helping to shape this event into a successful arena where an
ex-change of ideas and dialogue took place regarding the great
diversity of our communities. We hope you join us at next year's
Multicultural Conference! 2
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Reflecting on why some of us from the Mexican
culture celebrate the Easter Week or Holy Week, tambien dicho:
"Semana Santa." I would like to share with you a small
portion of the Tarahumara Culture. The Sierra Tarahumara, one of the
highest and most rugged sections of the Sierra Madre Occidental is
situated in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. It is also known as the
Copper Canyon, a traditional homeland of the Tarahumara. There are
about 50,000 to 60,000 people living apart from other Mexicans in
caves, cliffsides, or small wood-and-stone houses in secluded
meadows deep in the canyons or forests. When the Spanish arrived in
the early 1500s, the Tarahumara occupied the fertile llanos (plains)
of Central Chihuahua. In order to avoid the Jesuit missionaries and
Spanish exploitation, they abandoned the fertile llanos and decided
to maintain an aloof subsistence, rather than integrate into the
Spanish and Mexican economy. Today, they continue to maintain their
own survival methods. Self-sufficient agriculture has allowed them
to avoid assimilation into the local timber and mineral industries.
The Tarahumara Agriculture is said to be one of the most complex and
productive systems of the Native Agriculture in the world. From
canyons to mountain peaks, their crops were raised any-where from
1,000 to 9,000 feet. Another interesting aspect of the Tarahumaras
is that they call themselves
Raramuri, which means "The runners." Walking and
running are their main mode of transportation. Even at a walking
pace, the Tarahumaras can cover canyon territory three times faster
than that of a non-Tarahumara. Good runners are capable of hunting
deer by running them to exhaustion. Another reason why they refer to
themselves as a Raramuri
would be to distinguish one another from Sedentary Amerindian
groups from the Sierra such as: The Primas, Guarojillos and
Tepehuanes. Also, they have their own language called Raramury-Castellano, which
is divided into three dialects. Spanish padres originally carried
Christianity out to the native people. To the Tarahumara, Shamans
and priests were once the highest authority and a source of
important political power. As opposed to any other Native per-son
from America, the Tarahumaras have been able to blend their
pre-Christian beliefs into their missionary religions, creating
something of their own. Most Tarahumaras identify "Tata Dios"
(God the Father, also called Onoruame) with the Sun and the Virgin
Mary with the moon. Both are objects of offerings of food and
tesguino (a thick, fermented corn beverage also called
suguili in Raramuri). Semana Santa or, "Holy Week"
is the most important religious ceremony of the Tarahumara calendar.
The ceremony includes music, dance, tesguino, and re-enacted
religious dramas based on biblical stories. The true religious heart
of the Semana Santa is the Holy Thursday re-enactment of the Passion
along the "via dolorosa" sorrowful way. Beneath
temporary arches, made from three branches, symbolically represents
God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. Also, three wooden crosses
mark where the procession usually begins where the canyon village
(pueblo) church is. The procession includes a framed picture of the
Virgin de Guadalupe. As the procession of the Virgin comes into
town, the scent of incense burning accompanies the Music and the matachines (Indian
dancers). This beautiful procession celebrates Easter in a very
symbolic Easter. This social celebration begins on Friday. The theme
of war and the dramatic contrast between good and evil are played
out. The festivities culminates on Saturday morning with the
intense symbolism of a Judas straw figure being set ablaze. This
celebration of Semana Santa is important to the Tarahumara
community, who use the procession of the cross and the "via
delarosa" as a way to celebrate Easter. The Raramuri have
their own way of life and live by the motto, "Walking correctly
the different paths of life," and asking God for the basic
survival elements of life; water and food, given by the mother
earth.
En lo alto de las montañas Jesucristo El
Salvador viene a cumplir una vez mas su
sacrificio por la vía dolorosa, esta vez los
Raramuris le harán el honor a su nombre de
pies ligeros o pie que corre. La ceremonia otra
vez comenzara unos días antes el día más
importante, el jueves santo. Empezarán a so-nar
los tambores desde varias comunidades
indígenas, en bailes circulares celebraran la
ceremonia que fue triada por los padres jesuitas
en el siglo XVI.
Desde los remotos pinares o bosques de
pinos los Raramuri ofrecen las miserias de
siglos acumuladas, con tesguino arroz frijoles
y maíz.
Desde lo alto de las montañas van bajando
con la Cruz en sus espaldas los Raramuri, van
subiendo y bajando los camino que ellos
caminan día con día. La cruz cera cargada
hasta las manos de dios que para los Raramuri
de rostro de color del cobre es el camino que
ellos caminan día con día. La cruz será cargada
hasta la más alta cima de la montaña allí será
en donde la cruz será erigida, y allí es donde
dirán...." que te pedimos Dios? Te pedimos
agua y te pedimos de comer."
El viernes santo se reúnen las mujeres
vestidas de color rojo azul y amarillo de color
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4 Page The NAMI Family-to-Family Program is a new concept in
education for families and others who are affected by serious mental
ill-nesses: schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder
(manic-depression), panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive
disorder. The course was written by experienced family members and
mental health professionals, and is taught by family members who
have completed the course and are specially trained to teach the
course to others.
Included in the course:
1. Learning about normal
reactions when mental illness strikes a family.
2. Schizophrenia, Major
Depression, Mania, Schizoaffective Disorder, getting through a
critical period.
3. Types and sub-types of
Depression and Bipolar Disorder, panic disorder, and OCD, telling
our stories.
4. The biology of the brain,
research, causes, the biology of recovery.
5. Problem solving, setting
limits, problem solving skills workshop.
6. Medication Review.
7. What its like to have a
brain disorder, empathy workshop.
8. How illness interferes with
the capacity to communicate, communication skills workshop.
9. Self-care, how to balance
our lives.
10. Rehabilitation, a
first-person account of recovery.
11. Advocacy, learning how to
change the system.
12. Review and certification
ceremony.
The NAMI Family-to-Family Education
Program is appropriate for parents, siblings,
and significant others of persons with severe
and persistent mental illness. Individuals who
are suffering from one of the major mental
illnesses themselves may attend the course if
their present condition is stable and they are
the primary caregiver of an ill person.
Classes are held on a year-round basis
throughout Orange County. There is no
charge for the class, however, registration is
required.
If you are interested in attending the NAMI
Family-to-Family Education Course, please
contact NAMI Orange County at
714-544-8488 or email: namioc@
earthlink. net.
del arco iris. Los Raramuri o Tarahumaras escenifican la batalla
entre el bien y el mal, los malos tratan de entrar al templo para
arrestar a Jesús y crucificarlo y los soldados lo defienden y entre
bailes que se repiten en círculos de tres a la derecha y tres a la
izquierda -libran la batalla que terminara con un ofrecimiento a
dios de un puñado de maíz y frijoles en pequeñas jícaras y
tesguino que lanzan hacia los cuatro puntos cardinales. La noche del
viernes siempre será estrellada la bóveda celestial estará de
fiesta y los Raramuri seguirán bebiendo, animados por el tesguino y
por los tambores. Los Judas serán la diversión de los hombres, las
mujeres y los niños que corren por la vida y en espíritu y
después de la muerte. El Sábado es de resurrección el ciclo de
fuerza y resistencia será iniciado otra vez para los Raramuri que
entre bailes circulares y el sonar de los tambores correrán entre
las montañas esperando que se cumpla su deseo... lluvia y un poco
de comer.
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7 TH Annual Conference Meeting of the Minds
Theme:
“Fulfilling the Promise”
Tuesday, May 15, 2001, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim
Grand Ballroom, Exhibit Hall
- Targeting professionals, care providers, consumers and
families, community leaders
- Providing 24 informative and topical workshops to update
your knowledge and skills (AM Session I, II– PM Session III,
IV)
- Offering showcase of community resources – Exhibit space
available
- Networking luncheon
- Features renowned keynote speaker, Mariette Hartley, Emmy
winning star of screen, stage and television
- Anticipate 500 + in attendance
- CEUs and CMEs (5 units) FULL PROGRAM AND REGISTRATION
FORTHCOMING
For more information call (714) 547-7559
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needed to write a personal note of thanks for the wonderful
Multi-Cultural Conference you presented. I think that everyone who
at-tended the sessions and workshops gained valuable information
they could take back to their workplace to share with others and to
apply to their work. All of the sessions I at-tended were extremely
useful and much of the information presented was "cutting
edge." The fact that the attendees represented all disciplines
afforded everyone an opportunity to learn from each other and
explore ways they can work together better and utilize each other as
resources for the benefit of the clients. Thank you to both of you
and your staff for your dedication to this mission. Stigma but awareness on the part of society
and communities as a whole about what there
is available and what works and what doesn't
work. We know treatment works, and, so as
much as we work toward developing cultural
competence in our mental health system it isn't
going to do us any good if we aren't also engaging
the communities to help them be our
partners and so when we talked about the importance
of having the community involved,
we need to expand beyond just professionals
and just people in the mental health systems
and the consumers and family members in our
system. We need to engage all of the community
members to be able to help provide that
safety net, that assurance to people that going
to a mental health system is OK. We also
have to talk about who should get services.
That our definitions of target population need
to be clarified because sometimes diagnoses
aren't the only way to get people into treatment
and we need to get that outreach to work
to get treatment to people where they live and
sooner. And last, but not least, we need to
have ways that makes that accountable, that
we as administrators or government make sure
that all of those things work.
In order to do this, we need to change our
system, we need to change attitudes, but I
think our most daunting challenge, that we
have for all of us, is the fact that there are just
aren't enough people in the mental health field
right now. We have a tremendous human re-source
shortage and when it come to recruiting
persons of color into our mental health
system, we haven't done a very good job. That
means we have to look not just at people who
are currently providing services, we need to
look into the colleges, into the community
colleges, into the high schools to start encouraging
people to come into a field where they
can make a significant difference and we need
to do that both in terms of a value system and
in terms of the economic compensation that
we give to people for doing such a valuable
work. We are just starting to realize with
teachers that if we don't invest in teachers, it's
going to have a consequence for all of the kids
growing up. We need to do the same thing
for social serving professionals that we need
to invest in them because they are part of the
Fabric that makes this a better place to live.
So much as this is your Second Cultural
Competence Conference and it amazes me
that at 8: 30 on a Monday morning that you
have a full house, and, considering traffic and
weather and all that being – that's a credit to
all of you but it's also that we are in the 2nd
Phase of what we are trying to do at the State.
When I started envisioning the idea of requiring
cultural competence in the mental health
plan, it was met with two responses. From
the ethnic community, it was met with wild
applause. From the rest of the world, it was
met with apathy, verging on outrage. They
couldn't be outraged in public because that
wasn't the politically correct thing to do, but
how could we demand or force, people to look
at something they weren't doing very well.
And we have done Phase I and Phase I really
was just get a better understanding of what
you have, and what you need and how you
are going to improve the system. And now,
we really move to Phase II and that's the accountability
phases. Now the test is, when
we understand the gaps and that holes in our
system, how are we going to fix that, how are
we going to make that better, how are we going
to redirect resources so that everybody in
California, no matter what their background,
no matter what their culture has focused equal
access to get appropriate and quality care and
quality is the hallmark of what we are really
looking at now. It's not just lip service care
but it's quality care and when I look at the
agenda today that's what we are talking, we're
talking about quality, we're talking about how
to do the job better, so I applaud all of you for
your commitment and your energy and your
enthusiasm to try and make this work because
it is difficult and I can tell you everybody in
the United States is looking at this California
experiment, and the skepticism they had is
diminishing but we need to set the bar very
high so if we can do it everybody can do it.
Thank you very much.
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