St. Joseph Catholic Church & CCNA Host Community Stakeholders
By Jacqueline Burrell
Developing strategies to address mental health in the workplace and community at large were the key topics addressed during a working breakfast hosted at St. Joseph Catholic Church in late June.
“This session presents an excellent opportunity to address mental health, particularly as we transition into the month of July, which is recognized as National Minority Mental Health Month,” said Rev. Donald Fest, Pastor of St. Joseph. “As we gather here, we can prioritize discussions and initiatives that focus on promoting mental well-being within our communities. Let us seize this occasion to foster meaningful dialogue, exchange ideas, and develop actionable plans that promote mental health and support those in need.”
To that end, the Concerned Citizens Network of Alexandria (CCNA) brought business, community , first responders, and philanthropic organizations together to discuss ways to make mental health the same as physical health.
To the American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF), one of the philanthropic groups in attendance, there is no health without mental health. The whole person is important. “We want to make talking about mental health the same as talking about one’s A1C (diabetes blood test) numbers,” said APAF Executive Director Rawle Andrews Jr., Esq., a guest speaker at the event.
“This is a movement to normalize conversations about mental wellness, to get rid of the fear; to get rid of the shame; and to get rid of the discrimination,” he said, unveiling APAF’s Mental Health Works campaign, which launches this month.
“It takes 10 to 15 years for someone to get help after acknowledging a need. We can’t wait that long,” said Andrews.
Illustrating that point, Deputy Police Chief Easton McDonald asked: “How do you make a routine traffic stop, somebody speeding, and not be impacted by what you just saw,” referring to police witnessing the body of a three-year old who fell from a high-rise building.
First responders see things they wish they hadn’t. Part of the job, yet, getting them to address the trauma is part of what Dr. GiShawn Mance, Director of Clinical Psychology at Howard University and her doctoral candidate students are looking to do with Alexandria’s Sheriff, Fire, and Police departments. Coping mechanisms are some of the tools Dr. Mance and her students employ.
“Working in the community and gaining trust is first and foremost,” said Dr. Mance, adding that she and her students “always have something to learn as well.”
Mary Lee Anderson, who represents seniors in Alexandria, highlighted dementia, loneliness, and depression as some of the issues facing an aging population. “We can’t forget our senior,” she cautioned.
Responses from those in attendance were mainly positive. There were a couple who questioned spirituality, available resources, and negative politics.
But overall, “I like to hear different voices and understand what people are saying. The question is now what do we do?” asked Jean Mayhan, who together with Allen Lomax, represents A Healthier Alexandria.
COL (RET,) Jim Paige, CCNA Executive Director, challenged each individual and organization present to take this discussion back to their respective offices and talk. He looks to reconvene a follow up meeting to strategize next steps.
CCNA is launching its own Mental Health Awareness Moments this month. CCNA’s campaign #It’s OK to Talk is through a series of video public service announcements (PSAs).
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