Organizations within all sectors play a key role in promoting healthy communities. Join this free series to gain trauma-informed tools for your organization and learn skills necessary to become a champion for trauma-informed. Links to register are listed below!
The end of the year is quickly approaching! As we say goodbye to 2022 and hello to 2023, ReCAST would like to know how you are promoting trauma informed care in the community.
Share your comments below!
Earlier this year, the Faith Healing Hubs shared some of the amazing work that they have done thus far to support youth and families in Mecklenburg County. Check out the video below! Learn more about the Faith Healing Hubs initiative on The Groundwork page.
Special thanks to Loyd Visuals for the video production!
Since 1949, May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. Just as a good diet and exercise are needed daily to support physical health, a consistent routine can help to support mental health and wellness. For some people, this routine includes therapy and meditation. For others, it involves spending quality time with friends and family.
Everyone’s path towards mental health and wellness will look different. If you are looking for a place to start or new tools to add to your toolkit, check out the resources listed below!
Happy Black History Month! This month (and every month of the year) is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the history, impact, and future of Black people and culture.
During this Black History Month, many organizations are taking the opportunity to highlight the importance of mental health and wellness within the Black community. The websites listed below are rich with information regarding the history of Black mental health and numerous resources to find support.
“In celebration of Black History Month, the National Museum of African American History & Culture will examine the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (e.g., birth workers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout the African Diaspora. The 2022 theme considers activities, rituals and initiatives that Black communities have done to be well.” Learn More
“Learning about the history of systemic racism during Black History Month* – and all year – in the mental health system and movement and how it harms Black communities in the US and around the world is key for creating a mentally healthier world.” Learn More
“Food Lion and the Harvey B. Gantt Center invite you to join us for special programming ranging from beginner dance classes every Saturday – Ballet! West African! Liturgical! – to film screenings to lectures to hands-on art workshops. All in celebration of Black History Month at the Gantt Center.” Learn More
“What happens at the intersection of mental health and one’s experience as a member of the Black community? While the experience of being Black in America varies tremendously, there are shared cultural factors that play a role in helping define mental health and supporting well-being, resiliency and healing.” Learn More
Charlottean of the Year is awarded to individuals and organizations that are making meaningful changes in the community. ReCAST extends a huge congratulations to Greg Jackson, founder of the community organization Heal Charlotte and one of this year’s recipients!
Heal Charlotte and ReCAST have partnered together on numerous Stop the Violence CLT events aimed at bringing awareness to issues of violence, empowering youth, and engaging community residents in solutions for change. Past events have included:
– Stop the Violence Day 2021 Kickoff
– Stop the Violence Showcase
– Stop the Violence 3×3 Basketball Tournament (video coming soon)
Read more about Greg’s journey in Charlotte Magazine. Additional information about Heal Charlotte and the #StopTheViolenceCLT campaign can be found on their website and Instagram page.
ReCAST was recently featured at the 2021 Mental Health Summit hosted by Living Waters Inc.! Click here or watch the video below to learn more about the work that ReCAST is doing in the community and how these efforts are helping to address health disparities.
September 15th – October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month! Whether you plan to attend a few events or learn more about various Hispanic cultures and histories, there are a number of ways to celebrate. Below are a few suggestions to get you started:
– All Month: Virtual Events hosted by The Library of Congress
– October 2nd: Puerto Rican Festival of the Carolinas
– October 9th: Hola Charlotte Festival 2021
– October 10th: Hispanic Learning Center’s International Festival
– October 16th: Latin Night at Camp North End
– Read this article from Alyssa Lopez to learn more about how to support the Hispanic businesses and organizations in the Queen City
– Check out multiple curated book lists from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library here and here
– Engage youth in various activities to celebrate throughout the month
Consider joining “Doing the Work: A Community Approach to Systems Change”!
Implement trauma-informed approaches throughout your organization and Mecklenburg County Adopt trauma-informed, resilience-oriented best practices for your clients Build resilience in your workforce to prevent secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue Make your community a safe environment where clients can heal and staff can thrive
Only time! Five 90 min sessions to advance trauma informed care in your organization starting September 2021
Ready to apply? More information and links to the application can be found HERE!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Public health is concerned with the holistic wellbeing of all people, and mental health plays a huge role in that. Efforts include (but are not limited to) increasing access to services, decreasing stigma, and preventing stress and trauma in the community.
Check out some mental health-related events taking place this month:
Improving Mental Health Together Workshop (Topic: Humanizing Bipolar Disorder)
– Mental Health America of Central Carolinas
– 5/13: Sign Up Here
Mental Health Matters Talk Show – Real Life Tips for Managing Stress
– Mental Health America of Central Carolinas
– 5/18: Sign Up Here
Trauma 101: ACEs is Destiny
– ReCAST Mecklenburg and National Council for Mental Wellbeing
– 5/19: Sign Up Here
Pediatric Mental Health in the Wake of a Pandemic: Data, Strategies and Stories
– Emory University/Central Office
– 5/19: Sign Up Here
ACEs & Addictive Disease: The BIG Picture!
– Area L AHEC
– 5/20: Sign Up Here
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
– Mental Health America of Central Carolinas
– 5/20 and 5/26: Sign Up Here
ReCAST Toolbox: Resilience Tools Today Workshop
– ReCAST Mecklenburg and Resources for Resilience™
– 5/22: Sign Up Here
Connecting Cross-Sectors to Advance Health Equity Where it Matters
– Emory University/Central Office
– 5/24: Sign Up Here
Coffee and Conversation – “La Salud Mental: Es Tiempo de Hablar” (Spanish language event)
– Mental Health America of Central Carolinas
– 5/27: Sign Up Here
If there is a mental health-related event that you would like to add, please send an email to recastmecklenburg@mecknc.gov.
