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Racism in medicine unfortunately remains a reality for many families of color and of lower income statuses across the nation and especially here in the District of Columbia, where systemic oversights in providing proper health care for African American families have contributed to the alarming levels of COVID-19, OPIOID, & Gun Violent deaths. In Wards 7 & 8 there is a predominance of over 94% of the population who is African American. Additionally, over 50% of these families manage households and families with less than $15,000 of annual income. The Healthy D.C. & Me Leadership Coalition is a group of seven (7) community organizations, clergy, & business owners with a vested interest in restoring the proper standards of healthcare for our marginalized citizens who reside “East” of the Anacostia river in Wards 7 & 8 of the Nation’s capital.
The District’s Dr. Edwin C. Chapman, coalition advisor, says, “the D.C. government’s self-admitted, decades long inability to provide sound public health policy and services to its most needy and vulnerable constituents has to end. There is study after study that points to the need for TRUST in communities of color and the role that “cultural” competency plays in positive healthcare outcomes, yet the D.C. government repeatedly rejects the science and consistently contracts with Trump-like corporate outsiders expecting a different result. DC’s health inequities are further compounded by the “social determinants of health”, the District government’s unabated gentrification push, Black intra-classism, and the “brain draining” exodus of Black physicians which now rivals both (1) the Black Covid-19 and opioid death rates (80%) and (2) the rate of displacement of disenfranchised Black residents out of the city. All the above has exacerbated base-line anxiety and depression (PTSD or PTSS) and is directly related to increased self-medication with drugs/alcohol as well as reactive domestic and community violence”.
“Our coalition’s humble request and proactive approach at soliciting your donation commitments and partnership requests, to stand with us and the citizens of Washington D.C. is very genuine. There are too many citizens in the Nation’s Capital who are in dire need of higher standards of comprehensive healthcare resourcing and solid stakeholders who are committed to realizing a true progression of resources, services and a preservation of life, for not only today’s low-income, vulnerable citizens here in the District of Columbia but also for future generations to come.”
Rhonda L. Hamilton, Healthy D.C. & Me Leadership Coalition, President
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National Institute of Mental Health
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- 75th Anniversary Symposium: Inspiration and Aspiration: Future Perspectives in Mental Health Research
NIMH's final 75th Anniversary symposium brings together trailblazers in the scientific community to discuss diverse and visionary perspectives on the future of mental health research.
Mental Health America
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- Inaugural 988 Day kicks off with message of 'No judgment, just help'
Inaugural 988 Day kicks off with message of 'No judgment, just help' MHA Admin Fri, 09/06/2024 - 11:04 September 06, 2024 by Kara Rowland, MHA Vice President of Communications Content warning: Suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988, or text MHA to 741741. It's been two years since the launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides free, confidential access to trained crisis counselors 24/7 for those in distress. To spread the word about 988 resources, advocates are teaming up this year for the very first 988 Day on Sunday, Sept. 8, with the theme of: "No judgment. Just help." The goal, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the agency that funds the 988 Lifeline, is to emphasize the importance of mental health and suicide prevention. Data shows that improving 988 awareness is more than a worthy goal–it’s a necessary one. Only 18% of adults reported being familiar with 988 resources, according to a 2023 KFF poll. Awareness is even lower among Black, Hispanic and Asian adults as well as those who don’t speak English very well. Yet the need for crisis support is as urgent as ever. In 2022, the U.S. recorded one death by suicide every 11 minutes, […]
