Mental Health Services

Common Ground offers low cost or no cost mental health services to HIV positive residents of Los Angeles County.  The goals of the Mental Health Program are to significantly improve the mental health and well being of Westside residents living with or impacted by HIV/AIDS and high-risk youth, reduce barriers for our target population to access mental health services, and offer a harm reduction based approach to meet our clients where they are in their lives.   

“Broadly conceived, harm reduction is founded on a set of pragmatic principles and compassionate strategies designed to minimize the harmful consequences of personal drug use and associated high-risk behaviors” (Marlatt, 1998, p. 3).  

Services Offered

We offer a continuum of care to meet the unique and diverse needs of individuals living with or at high-risk for HIV/AIDS.  Some of those services include:  

·        Comprehensive assessment

·        Links to psychiatry services for medication evaluation, prescription, and monitoring

·        Crisis intervention

·        Mental health care management

·        Ongoing individual, couples, and/or family psychotherapy that can address a range of issues, including but not limited to:

   Depression

   Anxiety, Stress

   Drug & Alcohol Issues

   Behavioral Disturbances

   Adjustment/Transition Issues

   Grief/Loss Issues

PREVENTION FOR POSITIVES
Participate and Receive Incentives

·        P.H.I.P (pronounced fip) FOR HIV-INFECTED PERSONS, A Series of Five Workshops to Explore:

   Life goals, short term and long term;

   The impact of living with HIV

   Staying Healthy

   Disclosing your HIV Status

   Risk Behaviors and Ways to Reduce Them

Workshops held weekly, call for more info on dates and times or to request a calendar.  Make-up and individual sessions available.  Snacks and refreshments provided!

To enroll, you’ll need proof of diagnosis and of L.A. County residency.

·        Ongoing drop-in support groups to explore participant’s issues, give individuals an opportunity to build enduring relationships and expand social networks, and empower participants to assume greater responsibility for meeting interpersonal needs.

   Mondays 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Open to Anyone
Lunch Is Served

   Wednesdays 10:00 am – 11:30 am 

Spanish Speaking Only
Breakfast Is Served

   Thursdays 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Women Only
Lunch Is Served  

There are additional workshops and activities available to clients, call for more information.  

Mental Health Services at Common Ground are funded in part by County of Los Angeles, Department of Health Services Office of AIDS Programs and Policy and Ryan White Care Act Funds.  

If you are HIV positive and interested in receiving mental health services,
please contact Jami Musen, MFT, Director of Care Services at (310) 314-5480,
x-131 for more information and an intake packet.  Thanks-

Documentation Necessary to Complete Intake (aside from intake packet):

   HIV Diagnosis form signed by your physician with his/her license number

   Current Identification

   Current proof of income (SSI/SDI statement, W2, pay stub)

   Current proof of residence (utility bill, letter of support)

   Proof of insurance benefits, if applicable

COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINE NUMBERS

As a public service and for your information the MH Department would like to post the following community mental health hotline numbers:

A County Department of Mental Health Access Line –

1 (800) 854-7771 - available 24/7
Behavioral Health Hotline - 1(800) 300- 8040 - available 24/7
Community Crisis Hotline –

1 (800) 603-HOPE or I (800) 603- 4673 - available 24/7
Suicide Prevention Hotline - 1 (877) 727-4747 - available 24/7

IN CASE OF A LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY PLEASE ALWAYS CALL 911