Headquartered in Culver City since 1974 and renamed at that time after Didi Hirsch — a longstanding friend, supporter and advocate who, as a social worker, had first-hand knowledge of the individual, family and societal devastation caused by untreated mental illness — the Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center has celebrated many milestones and significantly changed the lives of countless individuals during its more than 60 years of existence.
Through its nine sites that serve in excess of 50,000 clients a year from Pacoima to Venice to South Los Angeles to downtown Los Angeles and many points in between, the agency provides mental health and substance abuse services in communities where access would otherwise be limited. Additionally, it also operates the only free, accredited, 24-hour, seven-days-a-week suicide prevention crisis line from Orange County to Santa Barbara.
Particularly significant during these difficult economic times, the agency’s Employment Services Program helps adult clients with chronic mental illnesses find jobs by teaching them computer skills, resume building and interview strategies, including how to dress appropriately and present themselves at interviews. And to bolster their success in the workplace, the program provides its clients with continued supportive services following employment.
As part of its focus on the wellness and recovery of mental health clients, for the past four years the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health has conducted an event called “Connections for Life Through Employment and Education.” During this year’s annual function, which was held April 7 in downtown Los Angeles at the California Endowment Center For Healthy Communities, four individuals from Los Angeles County were awarded recognition.
That elite group included Damon, a Didi Hirsch client who exemplifies the goals of the Employment Services Program. With family members present, he was cited for his determination and hard work in becoming as independent as possible through continued employment and education.
“On Nov. 1, 1999 I started at Didi Hirsch,” Damon told the News.
“And I came there shortly before Damon in the fall of that year as a care coordinator,” added Herman Corteza, the Employment Services Program director. “Damon was my first client in case management when I started with the agency.”
Corteza explained that case management encompasses “psychiatric services, medication, talk therapy, employment services and a drop-in wellness center where issues pertaining to everyday life and problem-solving techniques are discussed.”
Damon, who entered the Employment Services Program seven years ago, promptly got a job as a parking lot security guard with First Federal Bank (now OneWest), and was honored for his accomplishments by Los Angeles County on the seventh of last month, a date that by some cosmic coincidence just happened to be the seventh anniversary of his employment with the bank — seven may just be his lucky number.
Now, seven years after securing that employment, Damon has a full plate as he still retains his position at OneWest while attending Los Angeles City College and continuing to participate in programs at Didi Hirsch.
Damon works for the bank Monday through Wednesday. On Thursdays and Fridays he can be found at the agency’s Sepulveda Boulevard headquarters.
“I try to encourage the others there as much as possible,” he said.
His strong desire to help others is also reflected in his long-term goal to work in pediatrics. With his friendly manner, helpful attitude and positive demeanor, it appears he may already have a handle on the personal side of the healing arts in his interactions with customers whom he welcomes to the bank, as well as his peers at Didi Hirsch, to whom he offers his experiences and observations as signposts on their journey.
Although May is Mental Health Awareness Month, it can be a lifelong process during which the road to recovery may seem endless, often burdened by roadblocks and detours. For those facing a journey beset by such challenges, receiving direction from peers and professionals within a caring and comprehensive environment can be a key factor in healing and self-determination.
The wide range of educational and outpatient services offered through Didi Hirsch includes crisis intervention and stabilization, counseling, residential treatment, case management, youth-at-risk and family reinforcement programs, delinquency prevention programs, substance abuse treatment and prevention, and extensive community outreach. Further information is available at DidiHirsch.org and by calling (310) 390-6612.
Its mission statement proclaims “Didi Hirsch transforms lives by providing quality mental health and substance abuse services in communities where stigma or poverty limit access.” Musing on his long and productive relationship with Damon, Corteza put a personal twist on that statement.
“When I have a hard day at work,” he said, “I am fortunate to pass Damon on my way to our Inglewood site to remind me why we work so hard for this agency.”
