• Far South Board of Directors


My name is Michael A. McPherson and I was appointed as one of the California Network of Mental Health Clients Board of Directors for the Far South in December of 2006. I am a "Client First" and a member for the last six years. I have seen the Network grow in Culturally Competent membership to include African Americans, Latinos and Asians. I am a African American and proud to represent your region. I will do my best to work with the current leadership to improve our region in the Far South.

I'm a Disabled Veteran and a survivor of multiple disabilities to include Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Major Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I have suffered with these multiple disabilities for over fourteen years. At that time I was bankrupt, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually and deemed hopeless. I felt like a failure. Although I had heard that having a mental illness is not my fault somehow I was always told that “I screwed up my life.” I was living on GR (General Relief) and Food Stamps and only the Mercy of God to get me through a day.

I began my treatment in 1994 at the Veterans Hospital in LaJolla, The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinic (PCT) and the State of California Department of Rehabilitation. The Veterans Administration Integrated Dual Recovery Programs was very instrumental in my recovery and rehabilitation.

As I matriculated through college with guidance from the Department of Rehabilitation and Disabled Student Services Programs (DSPS) at San Diego City College I completed my Bachelors of Science Degree in Workforce Education and Development specializing in Education, Training, and Development (Honors) from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Liberal Arts Degree at San Diego City College, Associate of Science in Alcohol and Other Drug Studies at San Diego City College, Certificate of Achievement Alcohol and Other Drugs Studies (Honors) at San Diego City College,Client of the Year State of California Department of Rehabilitation in April 2005 and the 2005 recipient of The Dan Reese Award. An award given to the top Mental Health Client Leader for the County of San Diego.

One of my rehabilitation goals was to become self-sufficient and not have to rely on my Social Security benefits and I achieved that goal. I transitioned through my nine month Trail Work period and I am now able to be a responsible adult. I have numerous years’ active involvement in Program Development for people in Recovery/Rehabilitation specializing in Dual Recovery. I have spoke on multiple topics regarding Dual Recovery at conferences, seminars and training’s. I have been on Mental Health Panels and served on numerous boards. As I continue to work with individuals coping with Co-Existing Disorders I have to continue my own treatment to include medications and regular doctors visits to make this all work. Thank you for this opportunity to serve you as your Board of Director.

Georgia Degroat from Riverside

Shebuah Burke elected to the Far South Board of Directors and to Maria Ostheimer as the Alternate Board of Director from Orange County.