Mental illness affects one in five Americans every year, and the co-occurrence of mental illness and substance abuse is a significant concern that requires integrated mental health treatment.  Mental health is a fundamental component of general health and indispensable to personal well-being, family and interpersonal relationships, and societal interactions.

Supervisor Antonovich is a firm believer that the solution to the homelessness problem, requires both a fundamental reform of our mental health laws and mandatory psychological, alcohol and drug abuse treatment.   Housing alone will not solve this crisis.

“While community- based treatment facilities, stabilization centers, family access centers, and transitional housing are valuable temporary tools to treat symptoms of homelessness, the long- term solution requires State legislation to reform the dysfunctional mental health laws,” said Antonovich.  “Without this fundamental reform, the homeless will be forever locked in a broken system of warehousing without healing.”

Over 50,000 people with mental illness in California are homeless.  It is estimated that 16% of the people in our jails have a mental illness.  Most have been offered voluntary services, but the severity of their illness precludes them from recognizing their need for treatment. However, even with the most intensive voluntary treatment available, over 20% of the people who are offered behavioral health treatment cannot accept or stay with the treatment because of the severity of their illness. 

Supervisor Antonovich initiated the first California “Laura’s Law” (AB 1421) program for the provision of court-ordered assisted outpatient mental health treatment for adults whose mental illness prevents them from seeking or accepting help.  “Only through expansion of the Laura’s Law can citizens receive the treatment needed to fully recover,” added Antonovich.

In addition, Supervisor Antonovich has worked hard to ensure that abused foster children that have special needs and require special services have access to mental health care services.

Recognizing the need to increase public awareness and bring mental health concerns and issues to the community, Supervisor Antonovich initiated the First Mental Health Forum in June 2006.   The forum helps residents learn how Proposition 63 funds will be used to fund new mental health services being proposed, and give their suggestions.

A proponent of public-private partnerships, Supervisor Antonovich has worked with community and faith based groups including the Pasadena Union Station, Penny Lance, Lancaster Shelter – Catholic Charities, and St. Joseph’s Manor to ensure that stakeholders are involved in addressing homelessness and mental illness in their communities.