Participants engaged in discussions on mental health awareness at a community event in San Antonio.
San Antonio is actively addressing mental health stigma through initiatives led by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). With around 500,000 individuals in Bexar County affected by mental illness, NAMI’s Bridges to Care program aims to educate faith leaders on supporting their communities. A recent open house offered free mental health training, emphasizing the importance of addressing stigma, particularly within Black and Brown communities. The program seeks to connect individuals with necessary resources and promote open discussions about mental wellbeing.
In the vibrant city of San Antonio, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, also known as NAMI, is stepping up to shed light on a pressing issue that affects many in the community. Did you know that around one in four people in Bexar County grapple with a mental illness? That’s a staggering total of about 500,000 individuals who are silently battling these challenges.
To tackle this pressing issue, NAMI hosted an open house recently, offering free mental health training for faith leaders as a part of their innovative Bridges to Care program. The goal? To equip leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to help fight the stigma surrounding mental health issues and to extend support to those who might be suffering in silence.
Genesis Williamson, who coordinates the Bridges to Care Cohort Development, emphasized that the stigma surrounding mental health is particularly pronounced within Black and Brown communities. This is not just a statistic; it’s a reality that can hinder the healing process for many.
At New Creation Christian Fellowship, the need for mental health awareness was palpable. The Director of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Reverend Jessica Bass, highlighted the serious implications of neglecting mental health. Individuals in these communities often face depression, anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed, making this training even more crucial.
The mental health training program consists of six core modules designed to be engaging and informative. Participants can choose to attend either in-person or virtually, making it accessible to anyone interested in learning more about mental wellbeing.
Reverend Bass had previously conducted the training with her staff, showing a commitment to tackling mental health head-on. The message from the training is clear: it’s vital to cultivate an environment where people can openly discuss their struggles without fear of judgment.
The recent event didn’t stop at just discussing individual mental health. It delved into larger social issues that impact mental wellness, including domestic violence, divorce, sex trafficking, and the unique challenges faced by youth in the foster care system.
Organizers stressed the importance of seeking help and reassured individuals that support is available. They’re not alone in their struggles. Yet, the statistics tell a different story when it comes to accessing that help: only about one in three Black individuals who require mental health care actually receive it.
So, what’s standing in the way? Numerous barriers exist, including stigma, a lack of insurance, and distrust in healthcare systems. These factors create a significant gap between those who need mental health support and those who actually receive it.
NAMI’s Bridges to Care program aims to bridge this gap. Its mission is to educate the community about mental health and connect individuals with the necessary resources. A recent member meeting brought dozens of individuals together, focusing specifically on mental health challenges in the African American community.
Doug Beach, the executive director, pointed out that African Americans typically have less access to mental health care than the average population. During the meeting, participants discussed the urgent need for improving access to culturally competent providers to effectively address the mental health care needs of the Black community.
The efforts by organizations like NAMI in San Antonio show a positive move towards a brighter future. By educating faith leaders and empowering them to discuss mental health openly, the hope is to gradually dismantle the stigma that has long overshadowed such discussions, especially in minority communities.
As the community continues to rally around mental health, one thing is clear: reaching out for help is a strength, not a weakness. You’re not alone, and together, we can work towards a more supportive and understanding society.
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