San Diego, California - Drug abuse. Mental illness. School violence.

If you’ve been affected or are concerned about these and other behavioral health issues, the County Health and Human Services Agency wants to hear from you.

A series of nine, two-hour forums will be taking place throughout the region to gather public input about the types of services needed in the region to address these and other issues.

The County’s goal is to gain insight from people who have experience with behavioral health issues, school violence and other issues, including people with mental or substance use issues who are experiencing homelessness. The County also wants to hear from their families, behavioral health services providers and community organizations.

You need to register, and you can ask for interpreter services when registering. Register at www.ListenToSanDiego.org or by calling (619) 594-4409. Refreshments will be provided at the forums. Community members will be eligible to receive a $5 gift card for participating.

The information gathered will help HHSA determine how to spend federal and state funding, including Mental Health Services Act funding, which was approved by California voters in 2004. The Act imposes a 1 percent tax on personal income above $1 million for the creation of new mental health programs statewide.

The forums will take place:

Date: Time: Location:
October 8, 2018 10 a.m. National University
9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123
October 10, 2018 2 p.m. Ronald Reagan Community Center
195 Douglas Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92020
October 15, 2018 9 a.m. Tubman Chavez Community Center
415 Euclid Avenue, San Diego, CA 92114
October 25, 2018 6 p.m. Norman Park Senior Center
270 F Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910
October 31, 2018 10 a.m. QLN Conference Center
1938 Avenida Del Oro, Oceanside, CA 92056
November 9, 2018 1 p.m.
Park Ave Community Center
210 E. Park Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025

You can also participate in the following forums to discuss new approaches to the topics listed below.

New approaches to behavioral health services
October 10, 2018
10 a.m.
San Diego Youth Services
3845 Spring Drive, Spring Valley, CA 91977

New approaches to addressing homelessness
October 15, 2018
2 p.m.
Malcolm X Library
5148 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92114

New approaches to co-occurring mental health disorders and developmental delays
October 17, 2018
3 p.m.
San Diego Regional Center
2727 Hoover Ave #100, National City, CA 91950

People who are not able to attend the forums can still give their input at www.ListenToSanDiego.org.