Why did your organization become a member of The Anti-Stigma Coalition?
We see mental health issues with our clients and staff every day and are aware it is a growing issue. It can have impact not only on the clients but their children as well. Staff also need assistance and mental health issues can impact their work performance and family life.
How are your clients impacted by stigma?
They are reluctant to go to formal counselors due to their cultural backgrounds, but also, they fear someone taking their children away from them.
What is your organization doing to address stigma and enhance mental wellness in the community?
All our clients are screened at different intervals and appropriate referrals are made. We also offer an Empowerment group monthly in our Community Health Worker Program for our moms experiencing PMD, which is facilitated by a mental health counselor. We are starting another one for our Healthy Families program in September. We have a strong EAP program for our staff through Child and Family Services which staff can access for counseling, etc. We also mandate staff to attend EAP if we feel they are in real need. We will be starting a new pilot “Thinking Healthy Plus” with Syracuse University in August which will train eight of our staff members to deliver a modified cognitive behavioral therapy during home visits.
