February Mental Health Newsletter

February 18, 2022

Last month, MCCEI hosted the first webinar in the 5-part ‘Mental Health in the Construction Industry’ series. At this intimate webinar, volunteers discussed their lived experiences, and WellSpark and NAMI Metro Baltimore addressed ways that organizations can support their employees’ mental health and wellbeing with cultural competence in mind. This conversation is at the top of our minds as we elevate Black voices and welcome you to learn more about how you can support your diverse workforce and individual team-member needs.

Recognizing the intersection of mental health and one’s experience as a member of the black community is integral to successful and culturally competent care. NAMI explains on their website that only one in three Black adults who need mental health care, receive it. Among socioeconomic disparities and provider bias, stigmas against mental health care are a major barrier keeping Black adults from seeking mental health support.

Looking to break the stigma of mental health care in your workplace? Join us at our upcoming webinar geared towards HR Professionals. In the meantime, we compiled a list of Black Mental Health Resources for you and your community:

Black Mental Wellness:

Provides access to evidence-based information and resources about mental health and behavioral health topics from a Black perspective, as well as training opportunities for students and professionals.

Ebony’s Growing List of Black Mental Health Resources:

List of Black-owned and focused mental health resources by state as compiled by Ebony magazine.

Melanin and Mental Health

Connects individuals with culturally competent clinicians committed to serving the mental health needs of Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities. Promotes the growth and healing of diverse communities through its website, online directory and events.

Find more resources on NAMI’s website.

Resources from our webinar series partners:

WellSpark Health helps you build a well-being program that accounts for every dimension of your employees’ lives. Because we see each employee as the sum of everything in their life—from their culture, to their community to their physical and mental health—WellSpark is able to provide empowering guidance that accounts for these realities of life and puts employees on a path toward a more enduring well. Our advisory practice and wellbeing programs consider the uniqueness of the construction and built industry while working with you to incorporate your own companies’ vision and goals to attract, retain, and engage a high-performing workforce.

Please visit us at https://wellsparkhealth.com or reach out directly to one of our Advisory Practice Leads, Annie, at atse@wellsparkhealth.com.

NAMI Metro Baltimore knows that recovery is possible, and there is hope for individuals living with mental health conditions and their families. NAMI Metro Baltimore’s free support groups provide opportunities to connect with people who have faced similar experiences with mental health. Follow this link to view the schedule and click the group of your interest to register.

https://namibaltimore.org/find-support/support-groups/