mental illness

Barton Health grants were distributed to nine South Lake Tahoe organizations who address the most pressing health needs of the community: mental health, substance abuse and access to health care services.

During a recent luncheon, grants were handed out to Live Violence Free, Lake Tahoe Unified School District, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - El Dorado Chapter, SOS Outreach, South Tahoe Family Resource Center, Tahoe Art League, Tahoe Magic, Tahoe Turning Point, and Tahoe Youth & Family Services.

Dear Henry,
I am a business owner can you please explain the situation with “Service Dogs,” what is considered a service dog and what do I have to allow in my place of business which is a restaurant. I don’t want to get in trouble with ADA or the Health Department.

Thank you, Bob

Great question Bob!
This is an issue we get calls on all the time. I am going to be answering this question with information directly from the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, and Disability Rights Section.

Awards for outstanding contributions to their community were handed out during Friday's Law and Order Night for Douglas County law enforcement agencies.

Employees from Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Juvenile Probation, China Springs Youth Camp, DCSO Youth Explorers, Citizen Patrol, Posse, Search and Rescue, Reserves, 911 Communications, as well as State of Nevada Department of Corrections, and Nevada Highway Patrol were all honored.

Lifesaving medals
Deputies Geoff Marshall, Jesse McKone, Scott Battcher, Tyler Jones, and Les Video

In a representative democracy, the system the United States supposedly has, the policy making is controlled by the representatives elected by the people. The idea behind representative democracy is that people will elect representatives that will serve their best interest. However, in the United States the funding for election campaigns is provided by large corporations, banks, and a handful of wealthy individuals that results in the election of representatives who serve the best interests of the large corporations, banks, and wealthy individuals.

The Barton Foundation has $50,000 to give away in grant funding to groups in the South Lake Tahoe area who work to improve community health.

During their annual grant cycles, Barton provides funds to programs and organizations, and this year they will award grants to those who address mental health, substance abuse, and access to healthcare services.

The third annual Mental Health Forum in South Lake Tahoe today brought together almost 60 people who are dedicated to helping the mental and behavioral health in the community.

Hosted by Barton Health, this year's forum participants shared the progress they've made on strategies for mental health and local service gaps that were generated during the 2015 event.

Jeanne Nelson from the South Lake Tahoe chapter of NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) was very pleased with the outcome Thursday.

We've seen them walking along the streets, sleeping in the forests or hanging outside of an all night market. The faces of South Lake Tahoe's homeless. Winter can be brutal on the homeless in town with below freezing temperatures, snow covered paths and no place to keep warm.

That is, until today.

The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless opened the doors of their new Warm Room on Friday, ready to take in their first visitors at 7:00 p.m. It is a safe and warm place for people over 18, getting them out of physically harmful conditions.

Update 7 a.m. 10/14/15:

Dianne Thacher is no longer missing and returned to her dorm room at Sierra Nevada College Tuesday afternoon. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that she is safe, not injured and that there was no foul play associated with her disappearance.

Mental Illness affects one in five adults in the United States, and 21 % of youth. If you have friends or family members dealing with the more serious side of mental illness, there is an upcoming series of classes that may benefit you.

Each year the Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club holds their signature fundraiser, the St. Patrick's Day Celebration, and because of this they are able to give away tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships, grants and gifts to members of the community.

On Friday, local non-profits were handed the fruits of the Rotarian's labor at their annual community donation day.

This year, the following groups received a donation either at the meeting or during the school year:
Zephyr Cove Elementary School
Boy Scouts Troop 468
Boy Scouts Troop 594
WHittell High Boosters

The Barton Foundation board and staff have approved to up the ante and will give $50,000 in grants and donations to improve community health.

Every year, Barton Health provides funds for programs and organizations that will positively impact the health of the South Lake Tahoe community, particularly those that benefit underserved populations. In this grant cycle, Barton Health will award up to $30,000 in grants and $20,000 will fund special community projects throughout the year as determined by the Community Health Action Committee (CHAC).

Many times law enforcement officers are the first people a mentally ill person comes in contact with. In South Lake Tahoe, police officers and sheriff's deputies are forced to become front line mental health workers, and since they are on the front lines, Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) is an important part of their job.

El Dorado County received a grant for the Sheriff's Department to receive the training, and, to date, four sergeants and 18 deputies have been trained. While most patrol the west slope, South Lake Tahoe has three CIT officers (two sergeants and one deputy).

Mental illness affects 1 in 5 children and 1 in 8 adults.

50% of us will experience a mental health challenge in our lifetime.

These are significant numbers, and because of them, May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in South Lake Tahoe, May 10-16 is Mental Health Awareness Week. During a recent City Council meeting, the Mayor signed a proclamation to show the City's support of this significant week.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, El Dorado County Mental Health's South Lake Tahoe Clinic is hosting an Open House on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at its Wellness Center located at 1900 Lake Tahoe Boulevard. The event is free and open to the public.

Let’s transform South Lake Tahoe into one of the healthiest places for our children…a place where mental health issues are quickly identified and treated…a place where parents and caregivers are well-educated in recognizing the early warning signs. Let’s give the next generation the best chance possible at thriving.

In March we participated in the Mental Health Forum sponsored by Barton and the South Tahoe Unified School District. We were impressed by the passion presented by the many school-teachers, Barton ER doctors, and others that care deeply about Mental Wellness.

Last month, the City Manager and City Council hosted a strategic planning session with all City departments to ensure we are coordinated and pulling together to address key community issues. Community wellness is one such focus area.

The employees of South Tahoe Public Utility District are making donations to Christmas Cheer and Live Violence Free this holiday season. For the past month, staff has collected donations of food, toys, and more than $200 in cash for Christmas Cheer. They have also generously given of themselves filling wish lists for 15 families of Live Violence Free, who they hope to make the season a little brighter.

“I like participating because I know that these gifts go directly to the community” said District employee Matthew Mendoza.

Drug and alcohol statistics for 2013 show that the rate of drug use in America has declined by approximately 30% from 30 years ago but has risen fairly steadily since 1992.

Yesterday, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released an overview of the findings of the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The report released yesterday showed that in 2013 illicit drug use in America was stable over the previous year:

WHEREAS, mental illness will affect nearly one in five adults and children in a given year, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, or religion; and

WHEREAS, mental health is essential to the overall health of every individual and our community; and

WHEREAS, mental health conditions are real and prevalent in our County with many individuals experiencing times of difficulty and stress in their lives; and

Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra, the National Alliance on Mental Illness is very grateful for your support and wish to thank your generous donations to NAMI-SLT by taking more than 24 wis...

“Empowerment” is the premise of Barton Health's Community Advisory Committee (CAC). After careful evaluation of 19 grant applications, nine-non-profits recently received $24,000 in grants from the CAC. Through these grants, the CAC is able to “empower” area community programs with funding to help close the health gaps and address health issues within the community.

National Alliance on Mental Illness South Lake Tahoe would like to thank teacher Larry Lambdin and the students in Club Live at the South Tahoe Middle School for their generous donation of $200. Th...

We wish to express our gratitude to Dr. Frederick Wenck and his office for the donation to the National Alliance on Mental Illness -SLT of $4,988. These funds go toward help with needs for those su...