COMMUNITIES OF CARE
I
BY JESSICA MOLINA
n early 2019, Latina mothers from Aberdeen, Washington came together to address the alarming decline in mental health among the Latinx population of Grays Harbor. They were participants in the Women’s Justice Circle program, an eight-week curriculum available through the Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center (IPJC) and eventually organized an action project on how to address this issue in their community. The Aberdeen Circle collaborated with educators, mental health providers, and community leaders to organize a community forum, “Familias Unidas, Comunidades Sanas” (Families United for Healthy Communities). At this event, community health organizations and leaders provided resources to over 100 community members. Attendees were empowered and informed regarding the issues at stake and were able to participate in
Members of the Aberdeen Women’s Justice Circle organized a Mental Health Awareness Walk to advocate for mental health in Grays Harbor County, Washington.
surveys regarding their experiences with mental health. People gathered to discuss depression and suicide prevention in adolescents and to raise awareness about the importance of hiring bicultural and bilingual mental health counselors and educators. After a successful turnout at the forum, the Aberdeen Circle decided to continue to work together beyond the eight-week Women’s Justice Circle to advocate for culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health resources and services in Grays Harbor County. The community event validated the need for increased access to bilingual mental health counselors and educators in Grays Harbor. A few weeks later, the Aberdeen Circle presented these findings to leadership of Grays Harbor County Public Health (GHCPH). The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding that lack of information increases the stigma associated with A M AT T E R O F S P I R I T
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