Check out these photos from NAMI Contra Costa’s Community
Healing Event for African Americans on Feb. 28. The Black History Month
celebration, titled “A Time to Heal: From Pain to Purpose,” was sponsored by
Black Minds Matter 2, NAMI California, and the African American Steering
Committee for Health and Wellness.
During the event, community members and leaders discussed
the variety of challenges and recommendations for overcoming the systemic
barriers posed by institutional racism that impact mental healthcare for
African American communities across California. Topics discussed included the
overuse of restrictive practices and over prescription of the strongest
medications for African Americans, the impact of institutionalized racism on
the mental health of the community, and the challenges navigating the public
mental health system while also encountering discrimination at the state, local
and community level.
NAMI California will release a detailed analysis of themes
and recommendations of participants in our upcoming Annual State of the
Community Report for Diverse Communities this year. Be sure to check out the
report for this analysis and many other explorations into best practices for
serving the mental health needs of California’s diverse communities.
NAMI California would like to thank the Center of Hope Community Church for donating their space for community members!