Sen. Leland Yee: Mental Wellness Month

To be happy and healthy are resolutions many people make for the New Year.

Health is often associated with physical fitness, and the desire to lose weight or get fit. We often forget that mental well-being is just as vital as physical well-being.

During my time in the Assembly, as part of my 2003-04 legislative package, I introduced an Assembly Concurrent Resolution proclaiming the month of January "Mental Wellness Month" in California. I felt this was a valuable opportunity to bring public awareness to mental wellness. Mental wellness is striving to meet emotional needs constructively by maintaining good mental health, a positive attitude, high self-esteem, and a strong self-image.

Good mental wellness is the ability to respond resiliently to emotional states and the flow of life every day, as well as dealing with situations realistically and learning more about yourself and how things you do affect your feelings. The day-to-day stresses that many of us face, such as long commutes in heavy traffic, meeting the demands of a busy schedule, and not spending enough time with our families or friends, can all take a toll on our mental well-being.

There are many things we can do to contribute to our mental well-being. Recognizing and addressing some of the daily stresses that can lead us to unhappiness is one of the first steps we can take towards improving our mental health. While there are many daily stresses that are beyond our control, you may be surprised at how many you can control, with very little effort.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 22.1 percent of Americans ages 18 and older - about 1 in 5 adults - suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.

While we are still learning about the causes of and treatments for many of these disorders, we do know that practicing good mental wellness techniques can help ward off depression, stress-related anxiety and other symptoms of mental disorders.

In 2007, I introduced Senate Bill 916 and on Oct. 5 and it was chaptered into law. The law amends Section 1799.111 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to health facilities.

When a patient exhibiting a dangerous behavior is brought to a hospital that lacks inpatient psychiatric services, current California law allows hospitals to detain the patient for up to 8 hours while his or her physical and mental health needs are assessed, and if necessary, appropriate psychiatric treatment is sought. Often hospitals are unable to secure appropriate psychiatric treatment for the individual before the 8-hour detention period has expired. As a result, the hospital is compelled to seek an application for a 72-hour, or Section 5150, hold.

However, once an application for a 5150 hold is submitted, it cannot be reversed by hospital staff and the patient is held in the emergency room for the full 72 hours, regardless of need, if no bed is available in a designated facility.

Senate Bill 916 (Chapter 308) will allow non-designated, general acute care hospitals and psychiatric hospitals to detain for up to 24 hours persons who present themselves at the hospital as a danger to themselves or others or are gravely disabled. The hospital will also be allowed to release a patient prior to the 24-hour expiration if certain conditions are met. These changes will give hospitals the time to assess a patient's physical and mental health needs and secure needed psychiatric treatment if warranted.

In addition, SB 916 will help alleviate the current problem of overcrowding and diversion at hospital emergency rooms. I encourage you to make a resolution this month. Work to foster mental wellness in yourself and those around you.

Leland Yee is a senator in the California Senate.