Amid COVID and Racial Unrest, Black Churches Put Faith in Mental Health Care

A partnership between Montana State University and Seattle-based Waypoint Health Innovations is helping bring virtual mental health services to rural communities in Montana. Although the program has only been in research stages thus far, the positive effects already documented has led the program to be ushered into "widespread implementation" amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In Minnesota, volunteer chaplains are attending community events at the request of the participants to provide counsel and support to anyone who may be experiencing symptoms of trauma. Before attending any event to lend help, the volunteer "clergy, spiritual leaders and mental health leaders" first undergo a virtual cultural sensitivity and trauma training. During the events, the interfaith chaplains often perform volunteer duties, but also wear orange shirts to be easily identifiable for those who would like to share.

In a statewide, multi-business effort, California is working to identify a way to use technology to intervene in mental crises through the use of psychiatric apps. Acting as an early warning system, the piloting of these apps has allowed for collaboration between state officials, the app engineers and the users themselves.

For nearly two decades, Miami-Dade's Criminal Mental Health Project has worked to decriminalize mental illness, diverting people from jail into treatment and social services with an approach that has helped cut the jail population almost by half and save taxpayers millions. Combining the services of health care providers, law enforcement, and housing agencies, the project pairs participants with peer specialists and puts them on a treatment plan that can get their criminal charges dropped or reduced. Another benefit of the project: lower recidivism rates for people with serious mental illnesses.

The Gonzales Youth Council, which consists of middle and high school students, took matters into their own hands when it comes to helping their peers address mental health. Through surveys and meetings with school and local government administrators, the Council started facilitating mental health check-ins on Instagram, sharing self-care and coping tips and even seeking training for youth on how to respond when their peers are experiencing a mental health crisis.

GRAND Mental Health’s iPad Program connects people who may be experiencing a crisis with trained mental health professionals rather than law enforcement by video chatting on iPads. GRAND Mental Health, which serves 12 counties, has distributed more than 10,200 iPads in six years. They have distributed about 8,500 of them to clients and nearly 1,700 to first responders and hospital personnel.

The Synergy Healthcare Center is a mental health services clinic that focuses on issues facing the Black community to help fill gaps in service and address mental health stigma. Synergy focuses on cultural awareness to ensure those seeking help feel safe and comfortable with the mental health care services they’re receiving. The Center also hosts various themed gatherings to help create a safe place for those in need.

In parts of Switzerland and Sweden, mental health care professionals are working to implement culturally appropriate psychiatry services that better addresses the needs of migrant populations. Although acquiring funding for these specialized services can be a challenge, the approach has come to be a model throughout Europe and participants have reported positive feedback.

In South Auckland, epicenter of New Zealand's high rates of domestic violence, police respond to calls for help but instantly call in Te Taanga Manawa, a Māori-led team of multiple, culturally appropriate social-services agencies to guide families toward fixing the root of their problems. In the past, police may have made referrals to services agencies. But the Māori's distrust and the time lag in getting offers of help meant that families often rejected it, having papered over their conflict for a time. Now, nearly all accept the help offered while the crisis is still hot.

In Minneapolis, a collaboration between the Division of Race and Equity, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the city’s procurement department has helped establish an emergency mental health fund that aims to more equitably supply resources to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reimbursement-based fund provides clinical counselors with the financial support necessary to increase their caseloads and focus on "helping people of color, women, indigenous people, disabled people, and those who are undocumented."