SANTA BARBARA — Rusty Selix, JD., a mental health advocate and policy expert in California’s mental health system for nearly four decades, will be the featured speaker for the March NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Southern Santa Barbara County meeting.
The presentation, titled “How will DC and Sacramento Impact Santa Barbara Mental Health Services?” is free and open to the public, and will be held on Thursday, March 23th at the Mental Wellness Center Fellowship Club at 617 Garden Street, Santa Barbara.
Mr. Selix’s experience as an attorney prior to becoming a lobbyist aids his understanding of the legal system. He will speak on how the current administration’s proposed American Health Care Act would change the future of mental health services and will discuss advocacy efforts to protect services.
“I’ve been lobbying since 1977 and in all that time, there’s never been a year like 2017,” wrote Mr. Selix in a recent post on his blog. “Sacramento is totally consumed by what will happen in D.C. and what it will mean.”
Following the presentation, Mr. Selix will answer questions about all aspects of our system of mental health services and how changes may impact those living with mental illness, as well as their families.
Mr. Selix is the co-author of California’s Prop 63, the Mental Health Services Act. The proposition provides increased funding, personnel and other resources to support county mental health programs and monitor progress toward statewide goals.
The presentation will be followed by a Q-&-A session, and Spanish translation will be available. Guests are invited to arrive at 6:30pm for coffee and dessert before the program begins at 7:00pm.
For more information, please contact Alex Heath at aheath@mentalwellnesscenter.org or 805-845-3298.
About the Mental Wellness Center: The Mental Wellness Center is a private, non-profit organization that recognizes that mental illness is a community matter that affects us all. The Mental Wellness Center is dedicated to meeting the needs of individuals and families affected by mental illness, through support, education, and direct services.
About NAMI: NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI Southern Santa Barbara County is a program of the Mental Wellness Center in Santa Barbara and an affiliate of NAMI California. NAMI So. Santa Barbara County’s dedicated volunteers, members and leaders work tirelessly to raise awareness and provide essential education, advocacy and support group programs for people in our community living with mental illness and their loved ones.