Dr. Mattison’s Mental Health Call to Action

Dr. Leonie H. Mattison, Ed.D., MBA, president and CEO of Pacifica Graduate Institute (PGI), is inviting mental health organizations in Santa Barbara County to join a free event via Zoom on Sept. 6, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. PGI will provide a platform to connect and work together on the mental health issues in the county, which she states are in need of urgent action.

After coming on board in 2022 and completing her self-directed 100-day journey across the Santa Barbara and Central Coast communities, she assessed a need for a joint effort between the mental health needs of the area and the education, training and employment of the PGI students. With that, she created the Pacifica SOUL Promise Initiative.

The statistics that require urgent action, according to Mattison, include the following: “In California, nearly 1 in 20 adults experience serious mental illness each year, affecting over 1.24 million people. Among our youth, 1 in 6 are diagnosed with a mental health disorder annually. Despite these staggering numbers, our mental health workforce is dwindling. 

“With nearly 45% of psychiatrists and 37% of psychologists nearing retirement, the California Health Care Foundation warns of a shortfall of nearly 20,000 mental health professionals by 2025. Here in Santa Barbara County, we’ve seen a 35% surge in emergency room visits for mental health issues over the past two years.”

PGI plans to address the mental health issue of increasing need and decreasing practitioners available to render proper care. The Pacifica SOUL Promise Initiative includes developing 1,500 diverse depth psychological practitioners over the next 10 years, individuals trained to meet the SB community’s diverse mental health needs. 

In addition, the practitioners will come from underserved communities themselves to bring a deep understanding of the cultural and societal factors that shape mental health in that environment. Mattison explained that PGI is seeking to create community partnerships with leadership, faculty, students, alums, employers, providers, and community organizations to work together to make a lasting impact.

To join and find out about all PGI events, check the 411.  

411: https://extension.pacifica.edu/