Mission:
The Covid 19 pandemic has highlighted the persistent health disparities experienced by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) individuals across the Country and in our communities.
These gaps exist on top of the extreme racial disparities documented in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Addressing the mental health of BIPOC communities is a critical component of supporting the calls for more diversity, equity and inclusion.
Targeted approaches that center the lived experiences of BIPOC individuals are needed in order to make progress and promote sustainable change.
The purpose of the BIPOC Mental Health Coalition is to:
Composition:
Coalition participants will include BIPOC leaders committed to community wellbeing including BIPOC individuals with lived experience as participants in our mental health systems.
While this coalition is unique in its structure and focus, it will complement existing organizations, agencies, and coalitions focusing on mental health for the general population.
History:
The Coalition was created in 2023 by leaders from RISE Wisconsin and Journey Mental Health Center. The first meeting of the coalition is planned for early 2024.
The initial funding for this organization was provided by the County of Dane, Wisconsin.
The Covid 19 pandemic has highlighted the persistent health disparities experienced by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) individuals across the Country and in our communities.
These gaps exist on top of the extreme racial disparities documented in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Addressing the mental health of BIPOC communities is a critical component of supporting the calls for more diversity, equity and inclusion.
Targeted approaches that center the lived experiences of BIPOC individuals are needed in order to make progress and promote sustainable change.
The purpose of the BIPOC Mental Health Coalition is to:
- Create an affinity space to explore and respond to the mental health disparities of BIPOC people,
- Support and advise participating agencies in their efforts to address the mental health needs of BIPOC, and
- Advocate for upstream system-level changes needed to support a system of care grounded in belonging, dignity, and antiracism.
Composition:
Coalition participants will include BIPOC leaders committed to community wellbeing including BIPOC individuals with lived experience as participants in our mental health systems.
While this coalition is unique in its structure and focus, it will complement existing organizations, agencies, and coalitions focusing on mental health for the general population.
History:
The Coalition was created in 2023 by leaders from RISE Wisconsin and Journey Mental Health Center. The first meeting of the coalition is planned for early 2024.
The initial funding for this organization was provided by the County of Dane, Wisconsin.