WISE holds symposium on the intersection of race and mental health
04/20/22 06:05:pm
Wise Initiative for Stigma Elimination, a coalition of community partners supported by Rogers, hosted A Call to Action: The Intersection of Race and Mental Health on April 19 at Marquette University.
Over 200 community mental health advocates gathered to hear from panelists and discuss substantive action we can take to challenge stigma in our communities and to advance racial and mental health equity.
“We are grateful to the numerous local advocates who attended the symposium and are proud of the actionable steps they developed together to promote inclusion and support for all those who are affected by mental health and addiction challenges,” says Sue McKenzie Dicks, vice president, healthy culture.
In addition to participating in break-out groups and discussing the “My plan of action,” guests at the symposium listened to panels on the following topics:
- Strengthening resources with Reggie Jackson, co-owner and lead trainer, Nurturing Diversity Partners, and Brenda Wesley, mental health advocate and Milwaukee County Mental Health board member
- Diversity in the mental health workforce with Dr. Maria Amarante, owner of Multicultural Trauma and Addiction Treatment Center of Wisconsin
- Disparity of reimbursement rates with Thomasina Jenkins, Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, UW-Milwaukee
- Training of police officers and first responders with Captain Sheronda Grant, Milwaukee Police Department, and Brenda Wesley, mental health advocate and Milwaukee County Mental Health board member
Additionally, Dr. Rob Smith, director, Center for Urban Research, Teaching, and Outreach at Marquette, discussed ecosystem mapping, which visually represents existing partnerships among Milwaukee non-profits, government entities, and other resources.
Please see photos from the symposium in the slideshow above. You may also listen to an interview about the event with emcee Brooks Griffin, president of The INSPIRED Network, on the Milwaukee radio program The Earl Ingram Show.
