Black Mental Health Task Force’s Post

Nakeya T. Fields, licensed clinical social worker, was featured in a recent Los Angeles Times article discussing the rise in "deaths of despair" among Americans of color. The article highlights the significant increase in deaths due to suicide, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related liver disease, which have traditionally been associated with white populations but are now increasingly affecting Black and Native American communities (Times of San Diego) (Med Xpress). Fields, who has extensive experience in mental health and wellness, contributed her insights on the systemic factors contributing to this crisis. She emphasized the need for accessible mental health services and the importance of addressing the underlying social determinants that disproportionately impact these communities. Fields pointed out that economic insecurity, lack of access to healthcare, and the proliferation of potent illicit drugs like fentanyl are key drivers behind the rising mortality rates (Med Xpress). The article underscores the urgency of implementing targeted interventions to mitigate these disparities, highlighting that comprehensive, culturally sensitive mental health and substance abuse treatment programs are essential to reversing these trends. https://lnkd.in/gWc3d9Gi

What can happen in two years after opening a YFC office in the underserved community of Gurnee? Opened in July 2022, this location has been heavily used by the northern Lake County community. Within two years, our Gurnee site reached capacity and now provides 30% of YFC’s total sessions. During the past six months, clinicians at YFC’s Gurnee site have provided 1,382 sessions to 177 clients! While people from all walks of life use YFC counseling services, this snapshot of our Gurnee client demographics exemplifies why we are committed to affordable, accessible and exceptional care: ◻ 75% are considered low-income;        ◻ 52% identify as Latino;      ◻ 23% identify as Black; and   ◻ 68% are 25 years old or younger. These clients receive the best possible care.  Each client receives an individualized treatment plan that uses evidence-based methods to manage symptoms and address presenting problems from YFC staff who are certified in trauma-informed care. “Tailoring care, programs, and services to the cultural, social, gender, and other socio-demographic contexts of individuals served yields positive outcomes. Communities and individuals benefit when they receive behavioral health services that are clinically proven effective, equitable, and culturally appropriate.” Source: Adapting Evidence-Based Practices for Under-Resourced Populations By helping people overcome barriers when seeking mental healthcare, we can build safe and vibrant communities where everyone can realize their full potential. It’s possible when we make affordable, accessible, exceptional counseling services available to everyone in Lake County. Join me in celebrating with our team in the comments!

Wonderful read! The article is a resourceful account of the path #MentalHealth laws have taken in #California and where we land now under Governer Newsom. Understanding these changes and how funding is allocated is very important to behavioral health organizations and we must stay informed so that we can know when we need to be apart of the conversation as the boots on the ground. #CALAIM is the current and present effort and no time like NOW to step up to the table. If you are a community based org #CBO and you serve low income clients and you see a need in the populations you serve for mental health supports because there is limited access; YOU may be able to step into the gap. #housing #foodinsecurity #birthequity California Department of Health Care Services has a Technical Assistance (Path TA) Marketplace that can help guide the way. Therapeutic Play Foundation has been approved as a #vendor to help guide other CBOs to promote #health equity and support #workforce development to address the gaps. CBOs can sign up as a recipient and get Technical assistance for free to become informed and take action to impact change. Please read the article and check the link below to check out the TA Marketplace to take your spot in being a #change maker and disrupter of what no longer works for us. #healthcare #access #wellness #ecm #communitysupports Apply for TPF's support on the TA Marketplace here: https://lnkd.in/g2SurgGi

At MHN we are delighted that the government has committed to reforming the Mental Health Act 🤸♀️ Parts of the existing legislation are over 40 years old; new draft legislation was published in 2022, pre-legislative scrutiny was completed – it’s time to get on with it. These reforms will help reduce the unacceptable disparities in rates of detention for people from some ethnic minority backgrounds. More people will be cared for in the community, which supports better patient outcomes and a more efficient use of NHS funding. People with learning disabilities and autistic people will no longer be able to be detained long-term without a mental health condition – sufficient community provision needs to be in place to support people instead. Capital funding is also key to the success of the reforms. The mental health estate has experienced years of underinvestment. Only two of the fifty 'new hospitals programme' were for mental health 😥 We need to be better at preventing people from reaching crisis. We look forward to hearing more about Luciana Berger’s work around a governmental cross-departmental strategy for mental health, which we fed into on behalf of members. There has already been progress made around some of the non-legislative reforms. The Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) has been rolled out to all mental health trusts, and while still in it’s infancy, is the flag ship policy to reduce racial inequalities in mental health. We have also been working with the PSC, Virgina Mason Institute and members on a number of pilots which aim to reduce racial inequalities in inpatient wards. We have worked closely with government over the last eight years to reflect member views during the process of reform, and we look forward to working with the new government on the implementation of the new Bill 📜

@SophiaBollag of the SF Chronicle’s article on the rollout of SB 43 which expands the definition of grave disability to include the need for medical treatment and/or safety for people suffering from untreated brain diseases like #schizophrenia and #psychosis and folks with #addictions. This law could have gone into effect on 1/1/24, but so far only 2 counties have enacted it. Of course there are issues due to lack of resources, but we have known this for decades. There is no excuse to keep delaying the hard work and coordination needed to get our sickest the lifesaving medical treatment they need and deserve to live and thrive. Everyday in psychosis can mean the difference between life and death. Some quotes from the article: Luke Bergmann, PhD, head of BH in San Diego: “Any jurisdiction that is managing to the best outcomes, unencumbered by political pressure, would actually take as much time as possible to prepare,” Bergmann said. “Any thoughtfully managed jurisdiction would aim to delay because of the potential harm.” I ask what potential harm could be worse than dying on the streets or in a cell? Angelica Almeida, a former official with the San Francisco Department of Public Health: “But she rejected the reasoning other counties have used to delay implementing the law — that they should wait to expand conservatorships until they have more treatment options. We should never not pursue a conservatorship if it's clinically indicated, just because there might be complications around placement," Almeida said. "I think that is our ethical and legal responsibility."” #treatmentdelayedistreatmentdenied https://lnkd.in/g-tz3PSv

I understand the state's concern about individuals and organizations' use of predatory practices and illegal marketing schemes to profit off of those with substance use disorders; however, requiring licensure for peer recovery specialists could unfairly impact communities of color. In New Jersey, drug overdose deaths have declined, but the crisis disproportionately affects communities of color. The spike in overdose rates among communities of color has risen by nearly 30%, according to the National Institute of Health. This is alarming. Recommending a state licensure for peer recovery specialists can limit the number of Black and Brown individuals entering this field. This reform could reduce the availability of coaches who truly understand and empathize with the needs of these communities. This reform could significantly impact the effectiveness of recovery programs and the trust participants have in these services.

The CDC has found that the suicide rate among Black adolescents is increasing faster than other racial and ethnic groups. New data shows that the suicide rate among Black youth ages 10 to 19 increased 54% since 2018, compared to a 17% decrease for White youth. The latest from my colleagues Farzana Akkas and Allison Corr explores three strategies that can help address this disparity, including increasing cultural competency among health care providers, expanding the use of suicide screening tools, and conducting more research to understand risk factors. #suicideprevention #mentalhealth https://lnkd.in/eykFijqJ

🤰🏾 Recent findings by Five X More reveal alarming disparities in maternal healthcare for Black women in England. 📌 Black mothers are almost twice as likely to have their births investigated for NHS safety failings and face significantly higher risks during childbirth compared to their white counterparts. These statistics underscore deep-rooted systemic issues that require urgent attention. 📌 At Nafsiyat, we recognise the profound impact that such healthcare disparities can have on mental health. Many Black women report feeling unheard and dismissed, leading to anxiety, depression, and long-lasting trauma. Our organisation is dedicated to providing culturally sensitive therapy to those from marginalised communities who often face systemic bias. 📌 The disparities in maternal healthcare highlight the broader need for systemic change. #BlackMaternalHealth #HealthcareEquity #MentalHealthMatters #InterculturalTherapy #EndSystemicRacism

The House of Commons Education Select Committee have released a highly significant report shedding light on the concerning trends in children’s screen time. The headlines are eye-opening: 📈 52% increase in children’s screen time between 2020 and 2022. 📱 25% of children and young people use their smartphones in a manner consistent with behavioural addiction. 👶 Screen use has been found to start as early as six months of age. 📱One in five children aged between 3 and 4 years old have their own mobile phone. 🎒 Almost all children have a mobile phone by the age of 12. The conclusions drawn in this report mirror what we have been advocating for the last two years. It’s a call to action for all of us who care about the well-being of our children. 💪 Join us in urging the Government to take this report seriously and implement necessary changes. The Government has two months to respond to this House of Commons Committee report. Let’s work together to ensure they prioritise the health and future of our young ones. 👉 There are two urgent actions you can take today: 1️⃣ Use our template to send a single email to all of the main political party leaders and your MP. Your voice matters, and your advocacy can make a difference. Template can be found here: https://lnkd.in/daDw8ANp 2️⃣ Support this call by adding your name to our campaign to help us to evidence the strength of public feeling around this issue. We implore you to take action.