DMH Programs Video Profiles
The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health provides services to children, youth, adults, and older adults of all ethnicities through directly operated programs in the County’s 8 Service Areas, ranging from the high desert of the Antelope Valley, to the crowded Downtown and Harbor areas to the diverse communities of South, West, and East LA, and the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys. All programs emphasize hope for clients struggling with these complex disorders through the provision of varied services supporting wellness and the vision of long-term recovery.
Harbor
Three poems by a Long Beach Community Worker and COD Specialist:
ME
I CAME TO THE CLINIC TO VOLUNTEER MY TIME
SO I WROTE THIS POEM AND I MADE IT RHYME
MY FIRST DAY HERE WAS A LOT OF FUN
IT WAS AT THE RETREAT I GOT TO MEET EVERYONE
WE TALKED, WE ATE, WE WORKED AS A TEAM
TRANSFORMATION OF STAFF, IS THIS A GOAL OR A DREAM?
I’M LEARNING A LOT AND MAKING NEW FRIENDS
THIS WORK IS MY PASSION, I HOPE THE FUN NEVER ENDS
I’M SETTLING IN AND DOING WHAT I’M TOLD
SOMETIMES MY BOSS WRITES A 5150 HOLD
THE MEDICAL MODEL IS WHAT WE USED TO KNOW
BUT THE RECOVERY MODEL IS THE WAY TO GO
MINDFULNESS, VOLUNTEERING, RIDING THE TRAIN
FILING, COPYING OR FOLDING A CRANE
THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR GIVING ME A CHANCE
SO HERE IT GOES MY LITTLE HAPPY DANCE
CZDMHCOD SEPTEMBER 2009
CHOW
I say three things at the start of my day
To anyone who listens, when I’m on my way
First I say to you to “do your best”
Don’t plan, let GOD take care of the rest
Then I say to you to “learn something new”
Find a better way to do what you do
Lastly I say to “make a new friend”
If it was meant to be, I’m with you at the end
I attended this program so I can be more effective
Helping lost and hurt people, just like a detective
This class was tough, the days are longer sunny
I do my best in hopes of making bigger money
I’ve learned something new is that we learn from each other
Be it strangers, friends, relatives or your lover
Had some great ginger cookies and awesome presentations
Feeling deep emotions and some stressful situations
I met great new people that are connected by my passion
Recovery is my story, this is a priceless education
I consider my recovery story my masters degree
Higher pay, more respect, a better life, would you agree?
A wellness culture, within the system, pioneering this peer path
If we can put a price on hope only GOD could do the math
Recovery is my journey with wicked twists and bends
And thank you for the chance so I could make new friends
CHOW!
JCZDMHCOD 6/25/2012
THE HOPE HAIKU
LONG BEACH MENTAL HEALTH
WELLNESS AND RECOVERY
IS WHAT WE BELIEVE
JCZDMHCOD December 2011 ^j^