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Series to address minority mental health issues

Sampson Independent, The (Clinton, NC) - 7/24/2014

July 23--A monthly education series devoted to informing the public, as well as a variety of medical and mental health professionals, social workers, counselors, educators and many others in the community, will continue next week, recognizing Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.

Through the monthly education series, sponsored by Sampson Regional Medical Center and Eastpointe MCO (managed care organization), a new topic is explored each month. The events are free and open to the general public.

"They're open to the public, anybody can come and it's really just a great way to learn more about different things that are going on in mental health and substance abuse," said Courtney Boyette, community relations specialist for Eastpointe.

This month will wrap up with "Trauma Focused: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy," in recognition of July being Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The topic will be presented by Evaluz Negron and Keshawn McCleod with the Institute for Family Centered Services/NC Mentor.

"I tend to do more child-related topics for the summer because school is out ... and I thought that would be a good one for the community," said Boyette, noting that NC Mentor's work with at-risk children and their families.

"It's really geared toward children. It can be used for adults as well, but the focus is going to be more for children. It's really a neat concept," Boyette said of cognitive behavioral therapy. "For a child who experienced some type of trauma -- abuse of some sort, or a rape -- they go through a very structured (process) where they journal and they can do play therapy. A lot of different modalities can be used and they learn to address pretty much the worst experience they ever had and try to overcome it."

"It's very popular," Boyette continued, "and I was pleased they have somebody in Sampson County who does it."

The meeting will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at Sampson Regional's Center for Health and Wellness.

The monthly community education series has been ongoing since early 2013.

"I try to do something related to what the month is ... it really just varies based on the interest or whether there is a need in the community," Boyette remarked.

In May 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives proclaimed July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, providing agencies with the opportunity to raise awareness about severe mental illness in diverse communities, while highlighting avenues for wellness and recovery.

Mental illness affects one in four adults and one in 10 children in America, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health. The U.S. Surgeon General reports that minorities are less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment for their mental illness, have less access to and availability of mental health services and often receive a poorer quality of mental health care.

While mental illness is a leading cause of disability, nearly two-thirds of people with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment, and racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. are even less likely to get help, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Whether members of the general public or families, business and health professionals, school officials or anyone else, the series set for Wednesday is open to everyone as they are every month. Boyette said many may be surprised how many resources are located in Sampson County.

"I try to get local resources," she said. "There are more resources than we realize. Even those of us who work in mental health and behavioral health, we don't even know what each other does half the time. So, it's really a good place to network and find out about each other. We have some great people working locally that need more exposure."

Boyette said she has been pleased with the participation in the series, but hopes for more.

"I just wish there were more people. Some months there are more than others. The cool thing is some of the people who come, come every month. Once they do, they enjoy it and they come back," she attested. "If anybody in the community has an interest or a need, they are welcome to contact me and give me suggestions of things they'd like to learn more about."

To register for the event, seek more information or give a suggestion, call Courtney Boyette at 1-800-913-6109 or email her at cboyette@eastpointe.net.

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-249-4616. Follow us on twitter @SampsonInd.

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