Baptist Memorial Health Care and Shelby County Government are set to host a free community mental health and wellness expo on Thursday, September 19, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Dr. H.E. Garrett Sr. Auditorium on Baptist Memorial Hospital’s Memphis campus.
This event aims to promote equity and diversity in healthcare, focusing on resources tailored for Black individuals. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed psychologist and host of the “Therapy For Black Girls” podcast.
Miska Clay Bibbs, chairwoman of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners, emphasized the significance of mental wellness, particularly for women, stating that it directly affects families and the broader community. Research from Johns Hopkins Medicine highlights that women are twice as likely as men to experience major depression, yet African American women are only half as likely to seek help.
Dr. Keith Norman, Baptist’s vice president of government affairs, noted that the organization’s initiatives are informed by community needs assessments to address major disparities in mental health. “Mental health is a rising concern in all of those markets,” he said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified discussions about mental wellness, revealing significant disparities and the impact of isolation. Norman pointed out that events like the murder of George Floyd have heightened awareness of racial trauma and violence, exacerbating mental health challenges in the community.
Officials hope the expo will foster open dialogue about mental health in the Black community, encouraging individuals to seek help and reducing stigma. “There’s nothing wrong with therapy,” Norman asserted, advocating for a connection between emotional wellness and professional support.
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