Connecting Our Community: News & Updates

In February 2025, Eduardo Lopez signed up for the Service Area 2 Interim Housing Outreach Program (IHOP) at a Service Connect Day, part of the Inside Safe shelter program.

During outreach and assessment, Lopez found it difficult to engage in services, but through persistent efforts, he began opening up. By actively listening to Lopez’s needs, the team built rapport and began Intensive Case Management Services to obtain housing and decrease substance use. Lopez was hesitant to begin services but stayed engaged with staff members and attended meetings at El Proyecto, which helped to curb his substance use.

Through constant support from the IHOP team, including Monserrat Urquiza, Psychiatric Social Worker I; Cindy Herrera, Medical Case Worker II; Kerollos Hannah, Community Health Worker; and, most importantly, Lopez’s emotional support dog Bella, he found hope. Care and updates on permanent supportive housing were provided.

Lopez never gave up, even when nervous about moving into a new place. On August 7, Lopez moved into permanent supportive housing with support from the IHOP team.

“What are you guys going to do when I move and am no longer at the shelter, should I start giving you referrals?” asked Lopez. “I really belong in your program, and I don’t understand how others are not seeking your help.”

September marked Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Month which highlights prevention, identification and treatment for a condition far more common than most people realize. The CDC estimated FASD affects 1 in 20 individuals, likely an undercount given limited provider training.

Locally, that gap is what the L.A. County and Friends Learning Collaborative has spent three years closing. Led by Roxanne Chang, M.D., a pediatrician at Harbor-UCLA, and TIES for Families (a DMH clinic providing trauma-informed therapeutic services, psychological testing and psychiatric support for foster, kinship and adoptive families), the monthly teleconferences bring together clinicians, parent partners and social workers to trade insights and work through hard cases together.

That momentum carried into the 2026 Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health ARISE Mental Health Multicultural Conference in March where a multidisciplinary workshop — led by specialists and those with lived experience — explored how intersectionality shapes the way FASD is recognized and supported in mental health settings.

On September 9, the Violence Intervention Program hosted its ninth annual FASD Day in East L.A., highlighting the FASD united theme, “FASD is an AND Conversation.” The gathering reinforced a powerful message: An FASD diagnosis is a piece of someone’s story, but it never defines the whole picture.

On September 2, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) joined First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, L.A. County partners, and the City and community of El Monte for the groundbreaking of Esperanza Village and ribbon cutting of Hilda L. Solis Community Park on the former site of MacLaren Hall. The Village will contain two housing developments and will add over 200 units of affordable housing once completed, with 44 units funded by LACDMH and approximately $8M funded by No Place Like Home. LACDMH will provide and oversee services for 44 residents to support their journey to healing, recovery and purpose.

“Behavioral health is not only about treatment and appointments,” said Jesus Romero, Jr., Interim Senior Deputy Director of Outpatient Care Services at LACDMH. “It is also about having a safe home, connection to community and the stability needed to recover and thrive.”

Adjacent to the Village is the recently opened Hilda L. Solis Community Park, which allows residents numerous opportunities for wellbeing and connection while recreating via the park’s soccer field, basketball and tennis courts, shaded playgrounds, fitness zones, picnic areas, and native plant gardens and landscaping.

“This is a place where children can play and families can find a safe and affordable place to call home, while delivering investment in our communities,” said Supervisor Solis. “The park and village will transform this site into a place centered on healing and opportunity for our families to build a new, brighter future in the San Gabriel Valley.”

Construction for Esperanza Village is underway, to be completed in 2028. For more information on this affordable housing development, read this announcement from co-developer National CORE.

On August 28, the DMH Partners in Suicide Prevention team and DMH United Mental Health Promoters hosted the 3rd Annual Korean American Mental Health Summit for Korean-speaking communities in Los Angeles County. The 2026 summit theme, “Voices of Resilience: Addressing Challenges, Reducing Stigma and Barriers to Care,” brought together Korean American leaders, community organizations, educators and mental health professionals to share resources, promote cultural understanding and address barriers to care.

Robert Byrd, Psy.D., Deputy Director; Mirtala Parada Ward, LCSW, Mental Health Program Manager III; and Amber Cardenas, LCSW, Mental Health Program Manager I, welcomed attendees and opened the event. Siyon Rhee, Ph.D., Director of the School of Social Work at Cal State L.A., delivered the keynote address, followed by presentations from community leaders and mental health professionals who shared personal experiences.

Anna Lee, DSW, Director of Innovation at Social Model Recovery, shared her personal journey overcoming substance use and discussed how she uses her lived experience in recovery-focused behavioral health to support others. Karen Kyeunghae Lee, Ph.D., Associate Professor at Cal State Fullerton and President of the Korean American Mental Health Association, presented research on the unique challenges, mental health concerns and barriers to care affecting the Korean American community.

The summit also featured a traditional Korean musical performance by Haegeum Vibe, which blended Korean musical traditions with contemporary melodies. Attendees enjoyed Korean cuisine and had opportunities to connect with community organizations and learn about available resources. The event concluded with closing remarks by Franklin Romero, LCSW, Mental Health Clinical Supervisor.

The Los Angeles County Suicide Prevention Network (LASPN) hosted its 16th annual summit this month. This year’s theme, “Power in Community: The Strength We Share” highlighted how community helps prevent suicide.

This year’s summit took place across two days at the California Endowment on September 8 and Pasadena City College on September 18. The first event focused on how clinicians can treat and prevent suicidal ideation and taking one’s own life. It featured Amanda Rowan, Founder and CEO, Therapist Development Center; Michael Vinton, President and Co-founder, Survivors of Murder-Suicide; and more.

The second day focused on community education and featured Barak Bomani, Co-creator and Executive Director, Unearth & Empower Communities; Laura Tully, Ph.D., Vice President of Partnerships & Integrations, Kooth Digital Health; and more. LASPN also hosted its annual award ceremony on September 2 at the Department’s headquarters to recognize leaders in suicide prevention. This year’s award recipients were:

• Didi Hirsch Mental Health Center Wildfire Recovery Program — Dr. Sam Chan and Dr. James Cunningham Award for Outstanding Leadership.
• Bridget McCarthy, Advocacy Chair, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention — Sam and Lois Bloom Hero Award for Outstanding Advocacy to honor those who have advocated for a specific group or community, including attempt or loss survivors, youth, communities of color, LGBTQI groups, the disabled community or others with diverse and unique needs.
• Mina Longo, Teen Line volunteer/advisor — Dr. Elaine Leader Hero Award for Outstanding Youth to recognize a young person, council or youth organization that is advocating, providing outreach and/or facilitating educational opportunities to enhance suicide prevention efforts.
• A Fighting Chance — LASPN Innovation Award to acknowledge an individual who has implemented new and innovative prevention strategies that are technology-driven, target inequities in communities, address emerging issues, foster previously unused methods of communication and more.
• South Central Wellness Collaborative — LASPN Collaboration Award to honor an individual or organization that prioritizes effective relationships and collaborations across disciplines to tackle difficult issues related to mental health and suicide prevention.

For more information about LASPN’s programs and resources, visit lasuicidepreventionnetwork.org.

On September 30, we partnered with Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) to host a wellbeing workshop and soccer clinic to promote physical and mental wellbeing for our County’s elementary and high school students.

The evening kicked off at Theodore Roosevelt High School’s auditorium with a “Strong Mind, Strong Game” workshop. During the presentation, our clinicians Yolanda Renteria and Melanie Lee led discussions highlighting mental wellness, physical activity, sports participation and how to balance them alongside schoolwork for a healthy, thriving life. This included activities asking students to name ways to de-stress, talk about benefits of playing sports and identifying healthy habits to help improve their academic and athletic performance.

This was followed by an hour of soccer practice drills and scrimmage matches on the Roosevelt HS field alongside LAFC players Tommy Mihalić and Kenny Nielsen, where participants improved their individual and teamwork skills. The event concluded with providing boxed meals and LAFC souvenirs to the students and their families, as well as photo and autograph opportunities with both Mihalić and Nielsen.

Thank you LAFC for your partnership to make this event a success in promoting health, wellbeing and purpose to our County’s youth!

We recently visited the nonprofit and contract provider Wolf Connection at its sanctuary in Acton to highlight its unique Wolf Therapy® program for our youth clients. Participants in this multi-week empowerment workshop build life skills by observing and interacting with the organization’s rescued wolves and wolfdogs with guidance from Wolf Connection’s staff. This includes developing resilience by learning about the animals’ history with—and recovery from—prior trauma in captivity, improving socialization from watching their interactions one-on-one and as a pack, and creating a safe space for participants to share their experiences, ask for support, and actively engage with various skills-building activities in and around the sanctuary.

We thank Wolf Connection for their collaboration to provide this one-of-a-kind wellbeing resource for our youth clients, and we encourage you to learn more by watching the video below.

Mental health is as essential as physical health in shaping a healthy, balanced and thriving individual. Guided by this belief, on May 3, the Armenian community of Los Angeles County gathered for a groundbreaking event dedicated to promoting mental wellness — the Arev Armenian Wellness Festival for Kids and Families. Throughout the day, more than 600 Armenian children and families from Glendale, Burbank, North Hollywood, Granada Hills and other cities with significant Armenian populations participated in the festival’s activities, workshops and wellness programs. The choice of Glendale as the festival’s location carried special significance, as the city is home to one of the largest Armenian communities outside of Armenia.

Organized by the Oolik Educational organization under Urartu Inc. and sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH), the Arev Armenian Wellness Festival for Kids and Families was created as a community-driven response to the growing mental health challenges facing children, teenagers and families. The festival aimed to raise awareness about mental wellness, reduce stigma surrounding mental health conversations and provide culturally relevant resources by bringing together mental health professionals, educators and community organizations.

“Through the many festivals, educational programs, and cultural events our organization has organized for the Armenian community, we have had the opportunity to engage with parents and health care professionals. These conversations revealed significant concerns surrounding mental health, particularly among children and teenagers, and highlighted the challenges families face in finding reliable information, resources and support,” said Nelli Ghukasyan, a festival organizer.

“Because of these growing challenges, we recognized the importance of addressing mental health as a priority. We are deeply grateful to LACDMH for recognizing the importance of the mental health and wellbeing of Armenian children and families and for sponsoring this vital community event.”

The festival’s opening ceremony at Glendale’s Pacific Community Center was led by Anna Yaralyan, Psy.D. at LACDMH, and liaison of the Eastern European/Middle Eastern (EE/ME) UsCC subcommittee, along with Nelli Ghukasyan. In opening remarks, Dr. Yaralyan highlighted the importance of supporting children’s emotional wellbeing from an early age.

“Promoting children’s wellbeing, happiness and positive mental health is an essential part of keeping them safe and helping them develop socially, emotionally and behaviorally. These early experiences play a significant role in shaping their future and helping them become well-rounded individuals,” said Dr. Yaralyan. “On behalf of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, it is my great honor and pleasure to bring the Arev Festival to our community in collaboration with Oolik. The knowledge, connections and memories created at this festival will stay with families and children for years to come.”

A central element of the festival was a series of educational seminars led by mental health professionals. Seminar topics were carefully selected based on conversations and surveys conducted with parents and mental health professionals to ensure that the content reflected the real concerns and challenges facing Armenian families. Throughout the day, eight renowned experts presented seminars on current topics and engaged directly with parents by answering questions and offering guidance on issues affecting children and families. Discussions addressed children’s emotional wellbeing, domestic violence, mothers’ mental health during pregnancy and postpartum periods, children’s self-esteem and confidence, the effects of technology on a developing brain, strategies for preventing substance use among adolescents and parenting.

One of the seminar speakers, Violet Mesrkhani, Ph.D., who addressed the impact of technology and unlimited screen time, expressed her appreciation for the festival; “It is extremely important to have opportunities to speak with our community about mental health, and I am grateful that this festival provided everyone with access to valuable information free of charge.”

Speaker, Serina Nersisian, LMFT, shared her positive experience participating in the festival; “Thank you so much for organizing such an incredible event for our Armenian community. It was clear how much care and hard work went into making it such a success. I want to thank you for including me among such a wonderful panel of speakers. I truly enjoyed sharing information and connecting with Armenian parents in our community.”

Throughout the festival, the joy and excitement of children filled every corner of the Glendale Pacific Community Center. The Armenian Wellness Festival offered families a full day of interactive and enriching experiences designed to nurture children’s creativity, confidence and emotional wellbeing. Children and teenagers participated in a variety of hands-on activities, including robotics, arts and crafts, chess, martial arts, floral design, cooking, dance and tennis. Therapeutic activities were selected to encourage creativity, focus, self-expression, teamwork and confidence-building.

The STEM educational center Tinker Club brought a world of technology, creativity and innovation to the festival, including interactive robotics activities to build children’s self-esteem and emotional resilience.

“We are happy to be part of this festival, which includes activities such as STEM to show that hands-on experiences can help reduce stress by giving children a sense of accomplishment and control, while collaborative projects encourage social skills and teamwork,” said Meline Zohrabian, Founder and Director of Tinker Club.

The festival also highlighted the importance of healthy lifestyle choices through interactive nutrition education. Nutritionist Sabin Eisaian transformed learning about food into a fun experience by inviting children to become “sugar detectives.” Through an engaging activity, children explored how much sugar is hidden in popular drinks, cereals and snacks, learning about its impact on health and discovering ways to make better choices.

One of the most popular experiences was the opportunity for children to learn the traditional Armenian art of making lavash, the iconic Armenian flatbread, guided by the founders of Mush Lavash, a community-recognized organization with a long-standing commitment to preserving Armenian culinary traditions.

The festival’s sports and intellectual activities were another highlight, featuring tennis, martial arts and chess programs led by experienced instructors and respected professionals from Los Angeles-area clubs, demonstrating how structured play and skill-building can contribute to children’s emotional resilience and personal growth. Levon Altounian, International Master, eight-time California State Champion, and founder of the Angeleno Chess Club, shared his reflections on the importance of chess as a developmental and therapeutic activity.

“It was a really wonderful event, and I am grateful for the opportunity to participate,” said Altounian. “For many children, especially those who enjoy strategy games, chess creates a safe environment to practice critical thinking, managing emotions, learning from mistakes, and building confidence — skills that can extend beyond the chessboard into school, relationships and everyday life.”

The floral art station also attracted significant attention, allowing children to express their creativity while designing beautiful flower arrangements. Other art areas provided opportunities for children to draw and build sandcastles.

The Arev Festival stage featured inspiring performances by children’s and young adults’ song and dance groups, music schools and educational institutions. Young performers shared their creativity through music and dance, creating an atmosphere of celebration and connection while inspiring families to explore the arts and extracurricular activities that contribute to holistic development and overall wellbeing.

“Thank you to the organizers for bringing another exceptional event to our city,” said Glendale City Council Member Elen Asatryan. “The Arev Wellness Festival is a wonderful example of what our community can achieve when we come together with purpose and heart. Your dedication to enriching the lives of Glendale families is truly appreciated.”

The festival featured a dedicated resource center, where representatives from public and private mental health organizations connected directly with families, answered questions and provided information about services and support programs. Participating organizations included LACDMH, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Glendale Police Department Substance Abuse and Wellness Resource Program, the Armenian American School Psychology Association and other community organizations.

Nancy Quevedo, representing LACDMH’s United Mental Health Promoters Program, emphasized the importance of community outreach and education: “We are here providing mental health resources for the community, and it has been a great pleasure to be part of this meaningful event.”

The festival’s success was reflected in the smiles, excitement and active participation of children throughout the day. Their enthusiasm and engagement demonstrated the importance of creating spaces where children can learn, express themselves, build confidence and connect with others in a supportive environment. Parents also emphasized the value of the festival, noting that it provided an opportunity to access valuable mental health information, receive professional guidance, learn about available community resources and discover extracurricular activities that support children’s emotional and social development.

“It was a fantastic event!” said Mary, mother of 11-year-old Eva. “Eva had so much fun participating in the art therapy activities, playing chess and spending time at the robotics booth,” Mary said. “As a mother of three children, I constantly face different challenges related to school and parenting, so I truly appreciated having the opportunity to attend the parenting seminar, listen to the speakers and ask questions. It was helpful and inspiring. The festival created a positive, educational and welcoming environment for families and children. We look forward to attending again next year.”

In the two months leading up to the festival, organizers conducted a comprehensive community outreach and awareness campaign focused on mental health education. Through informational materials, social media videos and conversations with community members, parents and professionals, the organizers worked to create greater awareness around important mental health topics and encourage open dialogue. Educators and community leaders highlighted the festival’s role in breaking stigma, encouraging dialogue and helping families support children’s mental health.

“The Arev Wellness Festival is a truly meaningful and important event for our community. It brings people together around values we deeply cherish — mental health, family and a strong sense of belonging,” said Glendale Mayor Ardy Kassakhian. “This festival helps reduce the stigma surrounding mental health by reminding us that mental health is something that concerns everyone. Even those who consider themselves mentally healthy can continue to learn, grow and take steps to maintain their wellbeing. Just as physical health is essential, mental health is a vital part of overall wellness. I commend the organizers for their dedication and look forward to seeing this wonderful tradition continue.”

Designed as a family-centered experience, the festival offered educational opportunities alongside a welcoming space for families to connect and spend quality time together. Complimentary refreshments, including coffee, snacks and lunch, allowed attendees to fully engage throughout the day and enjoy the festival atmosphere. More than just a community event, the Arev Festival was a meaningful celebration of family, connection, education and wellness.

Submitted by Nane Avagyan, a journalist, community organizer, and co-chair of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s Eastern European/Middle Eastern (EE/ME) Underserved Cultural Communities (UsCC) Subcommittee.

It can feel isolating to live with or support a loved one living with untreated or undertreated schizophrenia and/or other psychotic disorders. To provide direct, clinical support to the individual and their families and loved ones, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) hosts a Monthly CARE Q&A on the fourth (4th) Thursday of every month from 4 to 5 p.m. to share information and answer questions about Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Court. 

These office hours are a safe, completely confidential and supportive environment where people can ask questions about eligibility, petition filings and County services. You can also simply listen on mute to learn more. 

• Next Session: Thursday, August 27, from 4 to 5 p.m. 

• Call in by phone at (323) 776-6996, conference ID 593 623 338#. 

Recently, Los Angeles County’s CARE Court program has seen an 85% increase in petitions filed to join the CARE program. The program is part of a broader plan to rebuild California’s behavioral health system to provide a least-restrictive, structured pathway to stabilize people earlier and prevent more intensive interventions. 

Learn more about CARE Court on our website here.

The Library Engagement & Access Program (LEAP), an innovative partnership between the L.A. County Library and LACDMH, was awarded a 2026 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties. The program embeds DMH teams directly into 17 high-need library locations across Los Angeles County to provide mental health support, referrals for housing and more.  

L.A. County’s public libraries are inclusive and trusted community-centered spaces and provide learning and connection to people from all walks of life. Since restarting the program in June 2025, LEAP has engaged more than 1,500 individuals, connected more than 1,000 people with essential resources and successfully placed 229 people into interim housing. Learn more about the program and its locations on the L.A. County Library website.  

LEAP offers a wide range of services, including community resources information such as food pantries, showers, laundry services, CalFresh and other forms of assistance. Patrons can also receive access to health care services, self-care and wellness guidance and coping strategies for stress and daily challenges. 

LEAP relaunched after Second District Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and Fourth District Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn co-authored a motion to bring back a program that paused during COVID.