creating recommendations for effective action

1. 4th Annual North Texas Health Forum: Embracing our Community of African American Children Katie Cardarelli, Ph.D. Texas Prevention Institute creating recommendations for effective action

2. Defining mental health/ well-being • WHO defines mental health as, “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” 1(p2) • There is no HEALTH without mental health and well-being

3. Defining your perspective of the issue • Learn how YOU and YOUR ORGANIZATION think about the issue • Understand your experiences and perceptions about emotional and mental well-being among African American children • Your involvement with the issue will vary • Opportunity to listen to each other

4. Wraparound Approach • Has demonstrated some success in our community • Consistent with a community-based approach to reducing health disparities • Not the only perspective • Provide structure to the discussion

5. Enhancing mental well-being • Requires a community-based approach • Promote personal positive spirit within a supportive community environment2 • How do we create a supportive environment? We must address: • Institutional and interpersonal racism • Inequities in housing, education, community safety, access to healthy, affordable food 3-5

6. Social Determinants of Mental Health Approach • Social policy interventions at the community level to ensure • safe housing and neighborhoods • attractive and safe places for physical activity • access to affordable and healthy food 2 • People must understand the importance of positive mental health, healthy ways to cope in the face of adversity

7. Addressing stigma • Social stigma of mental illness must be broken down • Educational programs to better educate the public about mental well-being • Nondiscriminatory policies providing equal parity and reimbursement for mental health care 2

8. Roundtable Session • Guided by a trained facilitator • Scribes at each table • Do not be afraid to think outside the box • Do not let financial concerns or current policies affect your thinking or ideas • Report out at 11:45

9. References • Herman H, Saxena S, Moodie R, eds. Promoting Mental Health: Concepts, Emerging Evidence, Practice. A Report of the World Health Organization and Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Collaboration with the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation and the University of Melbourne. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2005. • Perry GS, Presley-Cantrell LR, Shingra S. Addressing mental health promotion in chronic disease prevention and health promotion. Am J Public Health 2010;100:2337-9. • Primm AB, Vasquez MJT, Mays RA, et al. The role of public health in addressing racial and ethnic disparities in mental health and mental illness. Prev Chronic Dis 2010;7(1):A20. • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mental Health: Culture, Race, and Ethnicity- A Supplement to Mental Health: Report of the Surgeon General- Executive Summary. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Office of the Surgeon General; 2001. • Williams DR, Jackson PB. Social sources of racial disparities in health. Health Aff (Millwood) 2005;24(2):325-34.