Professional Townhall: A Collective Push for Behavioral Health Progress
The Alianza Coalition and Mecklenburg County are teaming up to promote Latino programming in our community, with support and experience from Latino professionals.
On September 26th, the Alianza Coalition held a professional town hall meeting, bringing together 17 professionals from various sectors to brainstorm strategies for implementing the Mecklenburg County Behavioral Health Strategic Plan. This event was made possible by the generous support of the Latin American Coalition and the North Carolina Behavioral and Equity Grant, whose contribution has been instrumental in advancing this important work. The meeting focused on actionable steps to address behavioral health challenges, particularly those affecting the Latino community.
Mecklenburg County Behavioral Health Strategic Plan: Key Updates
The Mecklenburg County Behavioral Health Strategic Plan was recently updated to reflect community input, particularly around issues related to mental health and substance use prevention. These updates include:
Expanded Prevention Programs: Addressing mental health and substance use prevention, incorporating culturally tailored strategies to engage youth and promote healthy behaviors.
Bilingual and Bicultural Providers: To address the shortage of bilingual mental health professionals, the plan introduces a workforce pipeline aimed at recruiting, training, and maintaining bilingual providers.
Culturally Inclusive Services: To ensure behavioral health services are responsive to the diverse cultural needs of Mecklenburg County residents.
These changes can be seen on page 31 of the Behavioral Strategic Plan: Click below for the full plan.
In-Depth Group Discussions at the Townhall
Click the groups below to learn more about what was discussed!
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Connecting with Communities: The group emphasized the need for clinicians and educators to engage with communities where people naturally gather, such as faith communities, local stores, and other communal spaces. Providing education in these environments helps normalize trauma and make resources more accessible.
Non-Stigmatizing Support: The group stressed the importance of providing mental health education in a way that doesn’t stigmatize those in need. In particular, faith leaders and community members should be equipped with the knowledge to offer emotional support and normalize these experiences.
Educating About Available Resources:
Leveraging Media: To spread awareness about mental health resources, the group suggested using social media, radio advertisements, and social networking platforms. This helps ensure that the information reaches different segments of the community, particularly those who may not be as connected to formal health systems.
Systems Education: The group also discussed the importance of educating broader systems—like schools, workplaces, and service agencies—on the resources available, ensuring they can guide individuals towards appropriate services.
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Key Strategies to Increase Access:
Community Awareness: The group underscored the importance of raising awareness within the community using culturally sensitive and trauma-informed language. This would help reduce stigma and make mental health services more approachable.
Targeted Recruitment: There was a strong recommendation to recruit clinicians who reflect the community’s diversity. This includes offering better compensation and expanding access to education, licensing, and certification for bilingual individuals through grants, fellowships, and internships.
University Partnerships: Collaborations with local universities were suggested to create pathways for culturally competent, bilingual behavioral health providers. This would include partnerships that allow equivalency of advanced degrees for practitioners from other countries, creating a diverse workforce pipeline.
Addressing Mental Health Stigma:
Community Campaigns: The group suggested that campaigns led by well-known community members could help tackle the stigma around mental health, particularly in Latino communities.
These campaigns should be delivered in culturally relevant ways and in locations where the community gathers, such as churches, supermarkets, and local events.
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Recommended Programs and Resources:
Financial Support for Participation: The group recognized that financial barriers often prevent Latino youth from participating in programs. They recommended providing scholarships or stipends to support youth participation in extracurricular activities.
Stress Management and Mental Health Programs: Culturally relevant programs like QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) and Mental Health First Aid should be offered to help youth manage stress and promote mental well-being.
Bicultural Programs: The need for programs offered in Spanish and that incorporate both cultures was a priority. Examples mentioned included Ganas and Renacer, both of which are existing programs that provide support for Latino youth.
Engaging Families:
Parental Education: The group stressed the importance of educating parents about the schooling system and other resources available to their children. Workshops or educational sessions held at churches or community centers would help foster trust and engagement from families.
Two-Generation Programs: Offering simultaneous programs for both parents and children was seen as an effective way to involve entire families in mental health support. For example, LHCC @St. Andrews Church offers two-generation programs where parents and kids participate in different activities.
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Key Strategies to Build Trust:
Language Access: One of the primary barriers is the language gap. The group recommended expanding language services to include not only Spanish but also Creole and Portuguese to reflect the diversity of the community.
Community Outreach: The group advocated for outreach efforts that go directly to neighborhoods where Latino families frequent—such as supermarkets, laundromats, and churches. This ensures that information is shared in an accessible and non-intimidating manner.
Improving Communication and Navigation
Simplified Processes: Parents need clear, step-by-step guidance when navigating services, especially medical services. The group recommended creating navigators who are trusted community members, to help parents better understand processes and reduce confusion.
Oral Tradition and Trust: Recognizing that many Latino families come from cultures that value oral tradition, the group called for more oral communication strategies via partners like pastors and social media. This approach would help overcome literacy barriers and build trust.
Moving Forward- Join us!
This town hall was an essential step in mobilizing the implementation of the Mecklenburg County Behavioral Health Strategic Plan. The collective wisdom shared by the professionals underscored the importance of culturally tailored programs, linguistically competent clinicians, and community trust. We look forward to continuing our efforts with all stakeholders to ensure that community members have access to the behavioral health services they deserve. Join our conversation by filling out the form below!