The overarching goal of our project is to increase mental health awareness and to combat stigma associated with using mental health services among Black congregations in the historic Church Hill neighborhood in the East End of Richmond, Virginia. In a comprehensive, public health prevention approach to mental wellness, including primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention, we will create and expand sustainable mental wellness programming via the following aims: Aim 1) To establish a mental wellness learning community of congregations in Church Hill/East End and other stakeholders to increase mental health awareness and service capacity. Aim 2a) To establish CSBC as an evidence-based mental health services hub for Church Hill/East End congregations and neighbors, including convenient, no to low-cost access. Aim 2b) To expand existing peer support and mutual aid groups to support the needs of specific demographics complementary to individual counseling services. Aim 3) To provide socially integrative activities—which have shown to promote mental wellness and longevity—respective to stages of human development. In addition to Cedar Street Baptist Church of God (CSBC), eight identified churches have been selected to receive funding, training, and support to aid with establishing a learning community that will embrace and replicate the model developed by CSBC. While this process encompasses most of the initial year of CSBC’s hub model, the organization plans to utilize a four-year plan with expectations to increase awareness of mental conditions and available resources across congregational leadership, increased positive attitudes toward mental healthcare, and reduced reports around mental conditions.
Addressing Stigma and Promoting Mental Wellness among African Americans in the Historically Underserved East End of Richmond, VA
Richmond, VA
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