The panelists, Tia Coles of Hurley’s Trauma Recovery Center, Dr. Crystal Cederna of Hurley Medical Center, and Chris Leamy of Genesee Health System, were passionate and lively, bouncing off of each other to inspire ideas and conversation about mental health issues in Flint – its causes, treatments, and solutions. Tia Coles made a riveting analogy about the culture of stigma and bias surrounding mental health, calling it an outdated cell phone. Without the updates, it may be acceptable in the beginning. Over time, however, the phone will slow down, the messages won’t send, and its purpose will be useless.
Dr. Cederna emphasized the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the mental health space. Tia and Chris reminded everyone that a seat at the table is not simply enough; a voice is just as important. Everyone echoed the notion that calling out for help is the most important thing, regardless of your difficulty level or if you don’t believe your situation is “bad enough.”
Chris gave an overview of mental health resources GHS provided, Dr. Cederna talked about child mental health in Flint, and Tia talked about the Trauma Recovery Center. This unbelievable resource gives free therapy to those impacted by violence.
One attorney attendee spoke about mental health issues she sees in the legal system and wants the same end goal as the panelists: to connect her client to the services/resources they need so they eventually don’t need help.
Panelists also discussed questions addressing issues of improving public mental health policy, how intersectionality affects mental health, and the effects of environmental disasters and adversity on a community’s mental health.
The Flint Registry Mental Health Resource Guide was presented as a comprehensive, diverse list of online or Flint-based mental health resources. This guide gladly accepts suggestions, has been built using research and community suggestions, and can be accessed below:
Mental Health Resource Guide Coming Soon!