MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMER CONCERNS

About Us

Mental Health Consumer Concerns, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 1976 by and for former and present consumers of the mental health system. Our goals are:

• To advocate for the rights of all clients of the system both within the community and in treatment facilities;

• To promote the development of client-run alternatives to the traditional mental health treatment system;

• To educate the public about "mental illness", the need for alternatives to traditional treatment, and to promote the reduction of stigma.

• To advocate for the continual pro-client change of public policies and state and federal laws by the inclusion of clients on all policy-making bodies.

• To enhance the self-esteem, dignity, and self-determination of past, current, and future mental health clients.

In 1981, Mental Health Consumer Concerns was awarded the Patients Rights Advocacy contract in Contra Costa County. This was the first Patients' Rights Advocacy contract in California to be awarded to a group of ex-mental health clients. We currently provide advocacy services in Contra Costa, Solano and Napa counties. Staff members advocate for system change on the local and state levels, represent patients at due process hearings, investigate complaints regarding rights violations, monitor facilities for compliance with patients rights laws, and provide training to mental health providers as well as the general community regarding patients' rights laws and regulations.

Mental Health Consumer Concerns also operates peer support programs in Contra Costa and Napa Counties including consumer-run community centers in Concord , Pittsburg and Richmond; a self-help program in Napa County; the Office for Family Involvement and Consumer Empowerment which conducts an annual "Mental Health Services Provider Training" for clients interested in working within the local mental health delivery system; the Tender Loving Care Project which provides job opportunities for clients who want to provide support services to clients and their relatives. Mental Health Consumer Concerns also administers the Contra Costa Network of Mental Health Clients.