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Innovation Projects

18 Out of 100 People

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders such as PTSD, panic attacks, phobias, and general anxiety disorder affect 18% of people in the U.S. each year, making them the most common mental health problems.

Anxiety becomes an anxiety disorder when overwhelming fear and worry prevent you from being able to live a normal life. Anxiety disorders can affect anyone and may begin at any age.

People with anxiety disorders are unable to control their own disturbing thoughts. They may start to avoid everyday situations that they fear will trigger more stress.

Anyone in Ventura County who has a question about mental health should seek help immediately, the same way you would ask for help when we have any other health question. If ignored and untreated, extreme anxiety can prevent you from being able to participate in daily life.

Worrying, Anxiety and When It’s Too Much

Everyone experiences worry in some way during daily life. You may feel understandably anxious as a reaction to ordinary urgent situations, for example, if you are running late for work. However, you may also feel anxious when you are worrying about something that may or may not happen, a threat that only exists in your imagination.

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Notice: 30-day posting and public review for the Collaborative Care for Youth
Integrating Collaborative and Behavioral Health Models for Comprehensive Mental Health Services Innovation Project.

Comments must be submitted by February 25th, 2025. All feedback can be sent to MHSA@ventura.org

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CURRENT PRIORITIES

The current state and local priorities for mental health services are our unserved or underserved populations in Ventura County such as:

  • Latinx
  • Black and African American
  • LGBTQIA
  • Homeless
  • People with dual diagnosis (mental health and substance use disorders)
  • People at risk of suicide

INNOVATION PROJECT PURPOSE

Innovation projects must address at least one of these areas:

  1. Increase access to mental health services for underserved groups
  2. Increase the quality of mental health services, including measurable outcomes
  3. Promote interagency collaboration related to mental health services, supports, or outcomes
  4. Increase access to mental health services
  5. Increase access to mental health services, including permanent supportive housing

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO MENTAL HEALTH

Innovation projects provide opportunities to test out new approaches. They are funded through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and administered locally through Ventura County Behavioral Health.

Innovation projects are new and creative mental health approaches that are designed to be learned from. They have a fixed length with a clear beginning and end, and are carefully evaluated. It's a chance to try out new directions that might inform current and future mental health services in communities.

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Do you have an Innovation Project idea?

https://form.typeform.com/to/VREDcq0S?typeform-source=vcbh2.typeform.com

QUESTIONS? LEARN MORE

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CURRENT & PAST INNOVATION PROJECTS

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Veteran Mentor Project

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Conocimiento: Addressing ACEs through Core Competencies
Active 2019-2023
Prevention program aiming to utilize community collaboration to reduce adverse outcomes in adolescents living in poverty or with ACES by increasing core competencies and building resilience.

Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Electronic Health Record – CalMHSA Multi-County Project

Healing the Soul – Curando el Alma
Active 2017-2021
Explores the possibility of uniting traditional and western healing approaches for the Mixteco Indigenous population.
Learn more >

Children’s Accelerated Access to Treatment and Services (CAATS)
Active 2017-2020
Provides a comprehensive intake and mental health treatment for all youth entering the child welfare system in an accelerated timeframe.

Suicide Prevention - Bartenders as Gatekeepers
Active 2018-2021
Training for bartenders and alcohol servers in suicide prevention and intervention

Push Technology
Active 2018-2021
Reminders for youth and adults discharging from hospitals or crisis stabilization services, offering text messaging assessment, connection, and appointments.
Learn more >

Warning Signs
What You Can Do?
Young Adults: Text. Talk. Help.
Older Adults & Suicide
Military & Veterans
Support After a Loss
Related Pages

Mental Health Services Act

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California Mental Health Services Act

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in Ventura County

For a crisis, call 911 or the VCBH Crisis Team at (866) 998-2243. Please note that information on WellnessEveryday.org should not be used as a substitute for professional healthcare. Always consult a
healthcare professional before acting on any information found on WellnessEveryday.org.

Ventura County Behavioral Health treatment clinics and programs are licensed by the State Department of Health Care Services. Learn more at www.VCBH.org.
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