Mobile Mental Health Services Offered to Homeless Berkeley

BERKELEY, CA – The City of Berkeley’s Mental Health Division is seeking public input on a plan to bring mobile health services to homeless encampments across the city.

The proposed mobile wellness center would offer services including medication counselling, peer-led wellness services, assistance with public benefits, food and hygiene support, and enrichment programs related to health.

According to a homeless count conducted by the city in January 2017, approximately 1,000 people, or 1% of the city’s population, are homeless.

Using feedback from those who have been or are close to homelessness, this effort is a short-term pilot project aimed at improving the well-being of homeless people.

The city said those who have experienced homelessness said services should creatively support wellbeing, without assuming that psychiatric or clinical intervention is appropriate for everyone.

The wellness plan outlines the use of $2.8 million in funding over a five-year period from the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), state legislation approved by the voters in November 2004 that imposes a 1% tax on every dollar of personal income over $1 million. .

The final plan will be submitted to the Berkeley City Council and the State Mental Health Oversight and Accountability Commission for approval.

The public is invited to provide comments by mail, 1521 University Ave., Berkeley, CA 94703, by email (KKlatt@cityofberkeley.info) or by phone, (510) 981-7644, through Jan. 26; or in a virtual public hearing, scheduled for 7 p.m. on January 27 on Zoom, https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83719253558, meeting ID: 837 1925 3558.

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