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From Left to Right: Marie Gallo Dyak (EIC),
Dr. Charles Sophy (Panelist), Carly Steel (Moderator),
Lisa Moskowitz, Griffen Moskowitz, Lisa Becker,
Stephanie Welch (Panelists), and Larry Deutchman (EIC).
"The way the media portrays mental illness has the power to update public perception and change public attitude."
-Dr. Robin Kay
Chief Deputy Director of the
LA County Department of Mental Health
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What is Mental Illness?
A diagnosis of mental illness is made by professionals using validated indicators of psychological distress and impairment due to emotional problems. In common terms, mental illness can be understood as psychological distress that impairs everyday activities including work, chores, social lives, and relationships.
What is the difference between Mental Health and Mental Illness?
According to the World Health Organization, mental health is not just the absence of mental disorder. It is defined as "a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.”
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Panelist Dr. Charles Sophy provided a clinician's perspective to the discussion on mental health.
A new idea that is being explored right now in the child welfare system is Ambient Trauma, which describes how different events and seemingly insignificant details that happen during childhood can over time weigh on someone's brain, altering it neurologically, leading to greater chances of developing mental health challenges later in life.
- Dr. Charles Sophy
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EIC presents this information with support from
The Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63).
 
The California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) is an organization of county governments working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. CalMHSA administers programs funded by the Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63) on a statewide, regional, and local basis.
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