As a “Part II” to “Supporting Wellness, Recovery, and Resilience Through Community Input” from the morning, this session convenes community members, partners, and other stakeholders together to discuss best practices for improving outreach and communication regarding behavioral health programs, resources, and services. Help “connect the dots” – identify opportunities for enhanced collaboration, collectively strategize how to specifically improve awareness of resources, community literacy, and ultimately utilization of programs and services. Representatives from existing community-based coalitions and organizations focused on mental health and substance use are invited to share their expertise and experience and discuss ways to elevate key needs and priorities of geographic regions, race/ethnic populations, and other community groups. What works and what needs to change when it comes to community outreach and engagement for behavioral health? Participants will also explore opportunities to keep this conversation going as we enter 2023 and help initiate planning to establish countywide mechanisms to: provide continuous input/feedback; discuss and review existing and emerging behavioral health resources; and make recommendations to County of San Diego HHSA Behavioral Health Services to better address behavioral health challenges faced by the community.

Learning Objectives

1. Collectively explore opportunities and best practices to support behavioral health needs throughout the region, with an emphasis on enhancing communication and information dissemination in communities
2. Initiate planning conversations to establish countywide mechanisms to keep the conversation going to support mental health, prevent substance misuse, and improve behavioral health equity