July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
A Message From Our Acting CEO, Lenya Robinson
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In an effort to continually develop our services and improve the way we connect with our community, Jefferson Center is following the lead of many other national health organizations, and phasing out the term “minority” and rebranding Minority Mental Health Month as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Month this July.
At a time when we’re seeing new widespread trauma and the opening of old wounds for the Black community, it’s essential to reflect on the importance of mental health for marginalized people and ask ourselves how we might better use our own power and privilege to be of service to these groups.
Mental health conditions do not discriminate - they can affect anyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, social status, or a variety of other factors. However, BIPOC populations can face more mental health challenges due to racism, inequality and discrimination, and having a minority identity can make accessing mental health treatment much more difficult.
At Jefferson Center, we are committed to making strides toward health equity by calling out disparities in mental health care and working to make mental health care more accessible to all.
This starts by educating ourselves and our community-- from changing the language we use to sharing important resources. Our Cultural Relevance team focuses on amplifying the diverse voices within our community as well as within our organization, continuously assessing Jefferson Center’s leadership, practices, community engagement, workforce, and communication and language services.
With the addition of telehealth services, we’ve also expanded our offerings to be more accessible to people who previou
sly faced barriers to receiving care,
such as inadequate transportation, insurance coverage, and difficulty securing childcare. However, creating a culturally aware mental health center that effectively supports the community is an ongoing process of listening to the populations that are most affected by disparities, learning from their experiences and suggestions, and adapting to provide the best care possible.
People of color and all those whose lives have been marginalized by those in power experience life differently from those whose lives have not been consistently and systemically devalued. They experience overt racism and bigotry far too often, which leads to a mental health burden that is deeper than what others may face. Black, indigenous and people of color also experience vicarious racism when they see images of others being subjected to the trauma of racism and this vicarious trauma can be passed to through generations in the same way that experiencing other traumas can have an intergenerational impact. Racism is a mental health issue because racism is trauma. And trauma paints a direct line to mental illnesses, which cannot be ignored.
Your voice matters to us. At Jefferson Center we want to hear your experiences, concerns, and ideas so we can adjust our operations and the mindset of our organization to meet the needs of the people we serve. Please don’t hesitate to
contact me
so we can move closer to achieving health equity and improving the mental health of our community.
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Self-Care: It’s Not Always Face Masks and Bubble Baths
July 24 is Self Care Day! Self-care is an important part of boosting your mental health and wellness. While self-care is often associated with beauty regimes and skincare products, there are plenty of ways that you can attend to your mental health. Here are a few ways you can practice self-care to be proactive about your mental health:
- Focus on the Physical - taking care of your body is essential to regulating your mental and emotional highs and lows. This can mean thinking of daily practices like eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep as forms of self-care, but it can also mean treating yourself to that spa day every once in a while!
- Attend to Your Mental Needs - it’s important to unplug and let your mind relax in between your busy schedule. Take some time to wind down with a book, take a walk, or declutter your house to free up some mental space.
- Check In With Your Emotions - staying attuned to your emotions (good and bad) can help you navigate complicated feelings in the future. Get in touch with your emotions by journaling, meditating, or even talking with a therapist.
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Free Live and On-Demand Webinars
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If you’re feeling stressed out and overwhelmed, take some time to check out our free webinar series, designed to help you navigate life’s challenges and achieve better mental health. Get started with two of our most popular presentations!
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How to Take Care of Your Mental Health When You’re Unemployed
Losing a job comes with a heavy emotional toll. During this webinar, you’ll learn the importance of self-compassion, how to have a positive mindset, and tools to adjust to change
.
Watch the webinar
here
.
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Taming the Anxious Mind
Do you find yourself, your child, or a loved one burdened by worry, anxiety, or panic?
During this webinar, you will practice effective coping skills for anxiety, including mindfulness, relaxation, and how to help others who are working through these feelings.
Watch the webinar here
.
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We'll Miss You!
Putt Your Stuff Cancelled for 2020
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Summer is a time for carefree attitudes, soaking up the sun, and long evenings spent with friends and family. If times were different, this month we’d be gathering together with you, our community of supporters for a fun-filled evening of putt-putt, BBQ and friendly competition, all in the spirit to raise awareness and support for mental health in our community.
Yet, in light of the continued guidance from health experts to limit social gatherings in order to reduce the spread of coronavirus, Jefferson Center has decided to cancel Putt Your Stuff, scheduled for Thursday, July 9. Please know that we did not make this decision lightly. We want to ensure that any event we host is meaningful, enjoyable, and most importantly, has the health and safety of our guests as top priority.
While we’ll miss our evening together, let’s all take comfort in knowing that we are together in spirit, united in our cause toward a world where, without question, mental health matters and care is accessible to all.
If you were planning to purchase an individual or team registration, we ask that you instead consider contributing to our
COVID-19 Support Fund
. Any donation amount is so appreciated and will help us stay connected to our clients and our community during this health crisis.
Thank you for understanding and for your loyal support of Jefferson Center’s mission. If you have any questions about this cancelation, please do reach out to Krista Lewis, Director of Development, at KristaL@jcmh.org or 303.432.5034 direct | 720.965.6087 mobile.
Stay safe, and savor those Colorado sunsets.
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Safer At Home Update & New Telehealth Stations
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As we move into July and continue the gradual reopening of some of our physical locations, Jefferson Center is still taking every precaution to keep clients and staff safe. In order to meet the needs of clients, and provide the most appropriate care, we have added in-person clinical services to our Independence and West Colfax locations and are now adding our Evergreen Office for a limited number of in-person appointments. Both of our Blue Spruce Pharmacy locations have remained open throughout the pandemic, allowing clients to fill any prescriptions.
We continue to provide virtual appointments via telehealth, so that people can get the care they need without leaving home. Telehealth has proven to be an especially effective method of receiving treatment for people who have transportation barriers, difficulty securing childcare, those who are at risk or live in an immunocompromised household, and anyone with a busy schedule who prefers to receive care at home. Visit our webpage to learn more about our
telehealth services
.
New This Month:
we will be offering telehealth stations at our Indy and West Colfax locations for clients who want to schedule a telehealth appointment but need assistance with the technology.
To prepare for your next in-office appointment, please be sure to read through our new
on-site guidelines
for clients returning to our offices.
To learn more about remote or in-person appointments or to get the latest Jefferson Center news, visit our
Coronavirus Updates
page.
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Say Hello to Our New Mobile Services Unit!
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Jefferson Center is pleased to announce that our new Mobile Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) vehicle has made its debut in Gilpin, Clear Creek, and the mountain communities of Jefferson County!
The Mobile MAT program provides access to treating opioid use disorders for people who are unable to get to a traditional brick-and-mortar treatment facility. In addition, it helps provide connections to Jefferson Center services including senior services, wellness services, and community outreach programs such as suicide prevention trainings and Mental Health First Aid.
The Mobile Services RV is outfitted with room for telehealth, as well as a medical suite. Onboard the RV are a Certified Addiction Counselor, a Nurse, and a Peer Specialist, all of whom will help assess the readiness and appropriateness for substance use and other behavioral health services offered through Jefferson Center, along with remote access to a prescriber down the hill.
Mobile services are available Tuesday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., on a rotating schedule in Golden, Morrison, Evergreen, Conifer, Idaho Springs and Nederland.
Visit our
Mobile Services
page for more information on locations and dates, or call us at 303-432-5390.
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Good News This Month
Fun and uplifting stories to brighten your day
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Follow Jefferson Center on social media!
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