NAMI Metro Baltimore creates mental health hubs on both sides of Baltimore
NAMI Metro Baltimore creates mental health hubs on both sides of Baltimore
BALTIMORE —
Making mental health services more accessible in underserved communities is the goal of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Metro Baltimore, which has created mental health hubs in both the east and west sides of the city.
“We want to go where the people are, and make it OK to talk about mental health,” said Clarrissa Taylor-Jackson, NAMI’s director of programs and outreach.
NAMI Metro Baltimore is offering a variety of support at the Bon Secours Community Center in west Baltimore. NAMI has expanded its minority-focused programming in both east and west Baltimore to help Black and brown communities overcome cultural stigmas and the fear and distrust of the medical field.
“One of the ways at NAMI Metro we try to address that is we are bringing programming … conversation-starting programs, sharing hope for folks who identify as part of the Black community specifically for and by the Black community. Then, we have the Compartiendo Esperanza program that is specific to and for folks who identify as part of the Latinx or Latino diaspora,” Taylor-Jackson said.
Residents can take part in a variety of support groups, from family to peer-to-peer.
“It gives people a safe space to share how they truly feel, be open and be themselves. Sometimes, something in someone else’s story can inspire you to move forward in your story,” said Tangela Robinson, a peer-to-peer facilitator with NAMI.
NAMI connects residents with resources for help with issues like housing and food insecurity, but the main focus is mental health. So, in addition to support groups, they also offer wellness workshops.
“We do some sort of art therapy. We do a meditation. We have Dungeons & Dragons,” said Tyleia Reed, a community outreach coordinator. “We (focus on) mindfulness, and I like to keep it active.”
For those who may need help or know someone in need of services, NAMI has a helpline, 410-435-2600, that’s staffed weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.