Mental Health Stigma

Anti-Stigma: Do You Know the Facts?
Stigma is not just a matter of using the wrong word or action. Stigma is about disrespect. It is the use of negative labels to identify a person living with mental illness. Stigma is a barrier. Fear of stigma, and the resulting discrimination, discourages individuals and their families from getting the help they need. An estimated 22 to 23 percent of the U.S. population experience a mental disorder in any given year, but almost half of these individuals do not seek treatment (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2002; U.S. Surgeon General, 2001).

The educational information on this web site encourages the use of positive images to refer to people with mental illness and underscores the reality that mental illness can be successfully treated.

Do you know that an estimated 44 million Americans experience a mental disorder in any given year?

Do you know that stigma is not a matter of using the wrong word or action?

Do you know that stigma is about disrespect and using negative labels to identify a person living with mental illness?

Do you know that stigma is a barrier that discourages individuals and their families from seeking help?

Do you know that many people would rather tell employers they committed a petty crime and served time in jail, than admit to being in a psychiatric hospital?

Do you know that stigma can result in inadequate insurance coverage for mental health services?

Do you know that stigma leads to fear, mistrust, and violence against people living with mental illness and their families?

Do you know that stigma can cause families and friends to turn their backs on people with mental illness?

Do you know that stigma can prevent people from getting access to needed mental health services?

DO'S

Do use respectful language

Do emphasize abilities, not limitations.

Do tell someone if they express a stigmatizing attitude.

DONT'S

Don't portray successful persons with disabilities as super human.

Don't use generic labels such as retarded, or the mentally ill.

Don't use terms like crazy, lunatic, manic depressive, or slow functioning.

mft ceu online

mft ceu online

The Board of Behavioral Sciences for California has determined that all ceus may be earned by homestudy.

What is the difference between an Online Interactive CE Course and a Homestudy Course?
If you submit a completed course/exam to the CE provider via regular mail, then you have taken a homestudy course. If the course/exam is completed and submitted online, then the hours are approved as regular continuing education. Many state boards, such as the California Board of Behavioral Services, allow all required continuing education to be earned from online interactive continuing education courses. Check with your respective board to determine the amount of hours/units are permitted online.

mft ceu california

mft ceu california

online ceus for mfts in california

The following is public information quoted from the BBS Website:

MFT and LCSW CE Requirements
MFTs and LCSWs must complete 36 hours of continuing education within the preceding two years of their license renewal date. Licensees renewing for the first time only need to complete a minimum of 18 hours of continuing education by the expiration date of the license. The Continuing Education and License Renewal Information Brochure is a helpful publication for keeping licensees informed of new continuing education requirements.

Continuing education must be taken from current Board approved providers.

Mandatory Coursework
MFTs and LCSWs are required to complete 6 hours of Law and Ethics training with every renewal. All other mandatory courses are one-time requirements. Please refer to the CE Chart for more information.

Auditing Information
If you are a licensee, you certify completion of continuing education on your renewal application. Random CE audits ensure compliance. If audited, you will receive a letter from the Board requesting copies of your continuing education certificates or course documentation as proof of compliance. Failure to comply with the Board’s audit may result in enforcement action.

Keep proof of completed coursework for at least four years.

Exceptions from the CE Requirements
A Request for Continuing Education Exception must be submitted to the Board at least 60 days prior to license expiration.The Board will notifies you within 30 working days after receipt of the request for exception’s status. If the request for exception is denied, you are responsible for completing the full amount of continuing education required for license renewal. The Board shall grant the exception if provided evidence, satisfactory to the Board, that:

For at least one year during the licensee’s previous license renewal period the licensee was absent from California due to military service.
For at least one year during the licensee’s previous license renewal period the licensee resided in another country; or
During the licensee’s previous renewal period, the licensee or an immediate family member where the licensee has primary responsibility for the care of that family member was suffering from or suffered a disability. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual. Verification of the disability must include all of the following:
1.The nature and extent of the disability
2.An explanation of how the disability would hinder the licensee from completing the continuing education requirement.
3.The name, title, address, telephone number, professional license or certification number, and original signature of the licensed physician or psychologist verifying the disability
4.If the request for exception is approved, it shall be valid for one renewal period.
For more information on exceptions to the continuing education, please call (916) 574-7866.