February 2020 News & Updates
Stay connected!
Visit our website & sign up for ARISE events and meetings!
Hope to see you soon!
Join us on our Facebook Page! This is a space for members to share advocacy information around mental health in San Francisco, pose questions to each other, and collaborate.
Important Changes to ARISE

Beginning in February, ARISE will have one meeting on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. New member orientation is from 1 PM to 2 PM; meeting for everyone from 2 PM to 3:30 PM. February's meeting is on February 19 at 870 Market Street, Suite 781.

Thank you for your support and interest in advocacy and ARISE!
ARISE Meeting Notes—January 15, 2020

Attendees: Eddie S., Tasha/Donacyan G., James V., Lisa W., Linda J., Teresa T., Kathryn W., Josh H., Robert N., Dan C., Ray K., CW J.

1.         Newsletter

Be vocal about what members want in the newsletter. We will try to get it out in the first week of the month. We will remove stipends from the flyer in the newsletter. We have separate ARISE and MHASF newsletters.

2.       MHASF Warm Line

Warm Line has expanded hours to 24/7/366.

3.        Mental Health SF

MHSF is low-barrier services for mental health. Supervisors Ronen and Haney and Mayor Breed negotiated a compromise plan, which passed the Board of Supervisors 11-0. However, it is unfunded. The Board can only fund it if there is a budget surplus or if voters pass a bond or tax measure, no earlier than the November, 2020 election. David Elliott Lewis served on a private task force that worked on the measure.

4.       Open Discussion

Do mental health consumers have a union? Maybe it could be ARISE.

5.        Expanded Conservatorships/Voluntary Services First Coalition

State Senator Scott Wiener led the effort (SB 1045) to expand involuntary conservatorships based on police initiated 5150 holds. The Voluntary Services First Coalition formed to oppose SF’s effort to expand the criteria for losing one’s civil liberties through conservatorships. VSFC meets again on 1/31/20 at Senior and Disability Action, 2 pm to 3:30 pm.

6.        Mad Mob SF

Mad Mob SF is a group of mental health consumers organizing for rights and access to services. It is holding a kick-off event on January 24 th in Civic Center Plaza from 12pm to 1pm. Its next meeting is Friday, February 14 from 2 PM to 3:30 PM at SDA. Let’s think about connections between ARISE and Mad Mob SF.

7.         Future Items

Public speaking training., SB 803—Peer Certification standards to help peer counselors get fair wages.
 
8.         Housekeeping

Facebook group. People agree that email, phone calls, face to face are better than Facebook. ARISE page on MHASF website. Any input is welcome. No more stipends. One meeting per month, either Wednesday or Saturday, not both. As we get bigger, we may have smaller committees. We can investigate conference calling for people who cannot attend a meeting.
Mad Mob SF Rallies in Civic Center Plaza, Storms Department of Public Health
On Friday, January 24, 2020, Mad Mob SF, a new group of mental health peers organized to advocate for ourselves, held its first public event. A group of about 25 people rallied at noontime in Civic Center Plaza to introduce Mad Mob SF to the public. Several speakers shared why they joined Mad Mob SF during the beginning of the program.

Then the fun increased. The mob marched across the street to the entrance of the Department of Public Health at 101 Grove Street where it attracted the attention of spectators and led chants like “Peer Led Not Fear Led.” After about 10 minutes, the group entered the building to deliver a letter to DPH Director Grant Colfax with its demands, including no expansion of conservatorships and fully and immediately funding Mental Health SF.

The surprised DPH staff locked the door to Colfax’s office and even called in a Deputy Sheriff to confront the boisterous group that was exercising its First Amendment rights to free speech and to petition the government to redress grievances. Eventually, one of Colfax’s staff opened the door and accepted the letter.
Mad Mob SF then left the building, ended the rally and started thinking about its next steps. Please join Mad Mob SF at its next meeting on Friday, February 14, 2020 at Senior and Disability Action, 1300 Mission Street #400, SF, CA 94103 from 2 PM to 3:30 PM. For more information contact Raia Small at [email protected] . Check out the Mad Mob SF website here .

The SF Examiner covered the successful unveiling of Mad Mob SF.

Mad Mob SF is an ally of ARISE.
Voluntary Services First Coalition

The Voluntary Services First Coalition formed to oppose San Francisco's effort to expand the criteria for losing one’s civil liberties through conservatorships.

Please attend the next meeting of the Voluntary Services First Coalition:

Friday, February 21, 2019, 2 PM to 3:30 PM
Senior and Disability Action
1360 Mission Street, Suite 400 (between 9th and 10th Streets)
February Free Events
February is a great month to enjoy free events in San Francisco. Here are some suggestions:


Tuesday, February 4
  • Conservatory of Flowers
  • Contemporary Jewish Museum
  • de Young Museum of Fine Arts
  • Legion of Honor
  • Museum of Craft & Design
  • Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

Sunday, February 2
  • Asian Art Museum

Tuesday, February 11
  • Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park

February 8, 10 AM to 3 PM: SF Giants Fan Fest

February 8, beginning at 5:30 PM at 2nd and Market Streets: Chinese New Year Parade.

February 8 and 9, Chinese Community Street Fair.
February 22, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Dolores Park, Meaningful Conversations With Strangers

Coming In March

March 8, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Sunday Streets Mission
Work or Volunteer with MHASF!
Mental Health Association of San Francisco has multiple job, volunteering, and internship opportunities available. Please check our website, linked below, if you are interested!
The Warm Line
Warm Line Hours Are 24 Hours Per Day
Everyday of the Week!

Visit our website for more job openings and to apply:
Peer Inspiration
Tony Chang

Tony Chang is this month's Peer Inspiration!

Tony has volunteered with MHASF at least weekly since January 2018. He discovered us from a chance reading of a SF Examiner article about the MHASF Warm Line.

He has helped with a variety of administrative tasks, including research for the ARISE Newsletter. He has also produced written content like an infographic about how physical fitness can improve mental health.

Tony takes his own advice by walking at least two to three miles most day and lifts weights about three times a week.

Volunteering at MHASF gives Tony a supportive community after disputes among peers at CCSF had left him isolated and helpless. Despite those disputes, Tony still keeps in touch with some of his former CCSF classmates.

Congratulations, Tony. Keep up your great work!
Mental Health Association of San Francisco | 415-421-2926| 415-421-2928| [email protected]| Website