Three weeks ago I took another step forward in my advocacy by taking a mental health training course offered through a local NYC chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; which I am proud to say is my sorority. I am now certified to recognize and respond to people experiencing mental health distress and substance misuse. And though I’m an Alzheimer’s advocate,it is still a branch, connected to the tree of mental health, and I want to do my part to become as well-rounded and knowledgeable as I can, to be able to assist others.
This training was offered by the City of New York as part of an initiative called “Sisters Thrive” created by NYC’s First lady Chirlane McCray. Within the first year, Sisters Thrive hopes to amplify the national dialogue about mental health awareness in the black Community.
First Lady McCray is taking on mental health wellness in collaboration with historically black women-led organizations. Her goal is to train 10,000 African-Americans in what she calls “Mental Health First Aid” (MHFA), a course that teaches people how to identify and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance-use disorders.
Her passion for mental health came from seeing mental illness and substance abuse challenges in her family and these abuses in the Black community. She choose to work with leading women-led Black organizations because in her words, “These women are very involved in their communities and champions of civil rights. They are caretakers. They are fighters….They help create leaders and back our leaders. These are women who are activists in the most serious sense of the word so if we train them, not only will they be able to take care of themselves and their families, they are going to do so much for our communities and so much for our city and world.”
The organizations she choose to partner with are Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Eastern Area of The Links, Inc., and Jack and Jill of America, Inc..
I’m grateful to be a part of a movement that is a about mental health awareness and about seeking change and advancements in care. For more information on Mental Health First Aid trainings go to ThriveNYC.
If you’re struggling with depression, drugs or alcohol misuse or anxiety you can contact NYCWell, NYC’s free, confidential support, crisis intervention, and information and referral service for anyone seeking help for mental health and/or substance misuse concerns, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
CONFESSIONS OF A MASTER CAREGIVER 