Gulshan Yusufzai, MAS-SSF Executive Director, will present Shifa for Today Peer Counseling Program to share outcomes/lessons learned in reducing disparities among the API community and particularly within the Muslim community. One of the objectives of this briefing will be to present existing and future strategies to promote racial equity in mental health and programs that should be broad to a statewide scale.
Join us for a two-day webinar to discuss the most critical mental health policy issues we are facing. We will have speakers from foundations, associations, policymakers, and community-based organizations.
Register
Wednesday, November 18th from 11 am to 1 pm | Click Here to Register
Thursday, November 19th from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm | Click Here to Register
Speakers
- Dr. Le Ondra Clark Harvey of the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies
- Chet Hewitt of the Sierra Health Foundation
- Dr. Sandra Hernandez of the California Health Care Foundation
- Anna Gorman of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
- Tracy Lacey of the Solano County Behavioral Health Department
- Gulshan Yusufzai of the Muslim American Society- Social Services Foundation
- Michelle Doty Cabrera of the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California
- Ruben Garcia of the Fresno American Indian Health Project
- Lupe Solorio of Community Partners
- Joel Baum of Gender Spectrum
- Dr. Joaquin Arambula Assemblymember (D-Fresno)
- Lauren Gustus of the Sacramento Bee
Learn About
- The latest data on racial, ethnic disparities in our health care delivery system, including county behavioral health and Medi-Cal, managed care.
- The future of funding for behavioral health services in California
- Evidence-based and culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies to address behavioral health disparities communities of color face
- County-sponsored initiatives to expand services for the most vulnerable residents (including undocumented immigrants)
- County-sponsored initiatives to provide mentorship, technical assistance, and resources to community-based organizations interested in becoming county behavioral health contractors
As COVID-19 continues to ravage communities and the state economy plummets, California policymakers have started discussions on how to best reform the state’s mental health system. COVID-19 has exacerbated longstanding racial and ethnic disparities in mental health care. Drastic cuts to mental health funding are underway due to a COVID-19 induced recession, and we can expect it to worsen in the coming years. Mental health reform is necessary and more urgent than ever.
However, it is imperative to understand how intergenerational patterns of systemic racism and implicit bias have actively driven the persistence of mental health disparities and dwindling of resources in communities of color. Racial equity must be central to conversations about mental health reforms.
At this event, attendees will develop a foundational understanding of how racism performs within the context of mental health, mechanisms associated with identifying mental health disparities, and factors impacting the looming mental health budget crisis. Attendees will also learn about existing and future strategies to promote racial equity in mental health and programs that should be broad to a statewide scale.
Check Day 1 Agenda | Check Day 2 Agenda
