San Luis Obispo County Focuses on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Healthy Neighborhoods in New Community Health Improvement Plan

San Luis Obispo County’s Public Health Department has just released its latest Community Health Improvement Plan, which outlines specific priorities for improving the overall health of the county. This year’s plan focuses on three key areas: mental health and substance use, healthy neighborhoods, and access to care.

Dr. Penny Borenstein, the SLO County Public Health Officer, emphasized the importance of early identification and intervention when it comes to substance abuse and mental health issues. By addressing these challenges early on, families can prevent further problems from arising. Additionally, creating safe spaces like parks and ensuring access to various healthcare professionals are key priorities identified in the plan.

The plan was developed based on data from a community health assessment conducted in August 2023, which received responses from nearly 4,000 individuals in the county. Adyan Nazmi, a member of the collaboration that created the assessment and a professor at Cal Poly, highlighted the significance of health and the need to create opportunities and structures that promote optimal health in the county.

Dr. Borenstein expressed her hopes for San Luis Obispo County, emphasizing the importance of accountability and ongoing conversations with the community to work towards health improvements. By leveraging resources and capabilities from community partners, organizations, and educational institutions like Cal Poly through collaborations like SLO Health Counts, this Community Health Improvement Plan aims to drive positive change and enhance overall health outcomes in San Luis Obispo County.