Advancing Equitable Mental Health Outcomes for Racially/Ethnically Diverse Populations

Friday, September 24, 2021 • 9:00am – 1:00pm

Virtual Event

BREAKOUT SESSIONS:

The breakout sessions will center on perspectives and strategies towards equitable outcomes in various sectors:   

Hospital Systems

• Innovative models in the healthcare system to improve suicide prevention
• Utilizing an interdisciplinary approach in the healthcare system to improve youth suicide prevention
• Examining the hospital’s role in preventing youth suicide

Presenter: Breanna Ussery, MSW, Discharge Planner at an Atrium Health Psychiatric Hospital

Colleges and Universities

• Suicide prevention for college students/recognizing risk factors of mental health issues among college students
• Developing a comprehensive approach to mental health promotion and suicide prevention for colleges and universities
• Engaging students to provide input on matters of student mental health and emotional well- being

Presenter: LaTonya Summers PhD, LPCS, LCAS, MAC, NCC, Asst. Professor of clinical mental health counseling at Jacksonville University

Community-Based Organizations and Practitioners 

• Developing a comprehensive approach to mental health promotion and suicide prevention in diverse communities by working with practitioners involved in the delivery of mental health services and community based organizations
• Practitioner and community engagement/involving community members in mental health initiatives
• Barriers that may prevent community members seeking help and participating in engagement effort to improve mental health
• Promoting Mental Health Equity through partnerships with community-based organizations and practitioners communities
• Sustaining programs & services for practitioners of color
• Practitioners guide for addressing the mental health needs of racially/ethnically diverse populations (adults, youth, children)

Presenter: Trasha Black, Ph.D. Co-owner and Clinical Director of Genesis Project 1, Inc.

Clients and Families

• Developing a comprehensive approach to mental health promotion for clients and families
• Engaging clients and families to provide input on matters of mental health and emotional well- being
• Incorporating the perspectives of mental health clients and their families into care planning and delivery
• Suicide prevention/recognizing risk factors of mental health issues among clients and families
• Removal of barriers to clients and families seeking help and support
• Support programs and services that addresses the unique needs of clients and families  (adults, youth, children)

Presenter: Arlana Sims, Ph.D. CEO, Sims Consulting & Clinical Services Inc., and an adjunct faculty member at North Carolina A&T State University

Faith-Based Communities

• Faith-based interventions to address mental health issues among racially/ethnically diverse populations
• Engaging faith leaders/faith-based communities to promote suicide prevention
• Enhancing mental health care services through partnerships with churches/houses of worship to supports clients/consumers and families in their communities
• Supporting churches/houses of worship to welcome and integrate mental health consumers into their faith community and to support social inclusion, decrease stigma and discrimination and provide a safe place for people

Presenter: Rev. Melissa Heyward, Associate Minister, Membership Counseling and Clergy Support Minister, Oak Grove Baptist Church