SLO County’s Community Health Improvement Plan: Addressing Mental Health and Substance Abuse Through Safe Spaces and Accessible Care

Every five years, the Public Health Department in San Luis Obispo County collaborates with Community Partners and gathers feedback from thousands in the community to release a Community Health Improvement Plan. This year’s plan focuses on three specific priorities, which is a reduction from the eight priorities implemented over the past five years.

One of the priorities outlined in the plan is mental health and substance use. Dr. Penny Borenstein, the SLO County Public Health Officer, emphasized the importance of families being able to identify and address substance abuse and mental health issues early on to prevent further challenges. Additionally, healthy neighborhoods and access to care are key priority areas identified in the plan. Whether it’s creating safe spaces like parks or ensuring access to various healthcare professionals, the plan aims to address the unique needs and strengths of San Luis Obispo County.

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. It was created by SLO Health Counts, a collaboration of community members, nonprofits, and government agencies across the county. Adyan Nazmi, a member of the collaboration and a professor at Cal Poly, highlighted