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13 <br />MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE REPORT <br />The presence of ongoing capacity and issue leadership within local government would greatly contribute <br />to the ability of OPC, individual Task Force members, MHAOC and others to partner with local government to <br />carry out these particular recommendations: <br />a. Collaboration of local governments with MHAOC, Healthy Carolinians and other advocacy groups <br />to reduce the social stigma assodated with mental illness through a public information campaign: <br />advertising on town buses, public service announcements and other materials for distribution. <br />(Many national resources are available.) <br />b. Dissemination of information about mental health issues/resources in town/county employee <br />orientations, through pay check notices, OWASA bills, etc. <br />c. Proactive efforts by town/county officials and school system leaders to 1) increase collaboration <br />between schools and mental health professionals and 2) educate families and children about <br />signs of depression, substance abuse, etc. <br />d. Increased local government collaboration with UNC Center for Excellence education efforts. <br />e. Use of the Town of Chapel Hill Mental Health Task Force web page and other local government <br />web pages as vehicles for public education and dissemination of information. <br />f. Local government support for volunteer groups that are working to increase public awareness of <br />the needs of the mentally ill. <br />g. Local governments and OPC collaborate to increase public awareness of the OPC Star Unit as the <br />primary entry point into the mental health system. Campaign to publicize telephone numbers - <br />919-913-4100 or 1-800-233-6834. <br />In addition, Task Force members themselves have made a commitment to: <br />a. Continue working with the Town of Chapel Hill to ensure that the Town website includes <br />important information and resources related to issues faced by those with mental <br />health/developmental disabilities/substance abuse issues. <br />b. Write letters to the editor and seek media opportunities (profiles of provider agencies, Op Eds, <br />etc.) tied in with a campaign to increase public awareness. <br />c. Increase community awareness of mental health-related issues through appearances before <br />various local government bodies, meetings with governmental staffs, dialogue with the County <br />Human Services Commission and Town Human Services advisory groups, presentations to local <br />service groups and other related activities. <br />d. Explore ways to partner with the county Third Sector Alliance -perhaps to create an ongoing <br />work group around mental health/developmental disabilities/substance abuse issues. <br />e. Partner with the Town of Chapel Hill and the UNC Center for Excellence to convene issue-focused <br />symposia. <br />11 <br />