Supporting Mental Health Through Culturally Responsive Community Engagement

Early intervention for those exhibiting signs of mental illness can mitigate or prevent adverse outcomes such as suicide and hospitalization. However, community-engaged and culturally responsive efforts to promote mental health and reduce behavioral health disparities are lacking. Sandra Huber and Jody Early, PhD, will present an overview of Mental Health Matters of Washington (MHMWA)’s program, including program design, theoretical approach and training model, trained peer support, and implementation strategies and outcomes. Challenges as well as promising practices for community mental health promotion will also be shared.

Jody Early, PhD, MS, is principal investigator and co-director of Mental Health Matters of WA. She is a professor in the School of Nursing and Health Studies at the University of Washington Bothell and also a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) and Certified Health Coach. Jody’s background in public health promotion and education spans nearly 30 years, and her research examines the bio-psycho-social, cultural, and systemic factors that influence individual and community health. As a practitioner, she applies evidence-based approaches and community-based participatory methods to work in partnership with communities and groups to co-design and evaluate culturally-based health programming and communication. She received the Community Engaged Scholar Award, University of Washington Bothell (2023), the Society for Public Health Education Service Award (SOPHE Trophy) (2021), and the Health Education Materials Award, American Public Health Association (2020).

Sandra Huber, Co-Director of Mental Health Matters of WA, was born and raised in Panama City, Panama, and came to the U.S. to study industrial engineering. After working as an engineer, she found her calling in social and humans services. Sandra has been a key player in the development of a Community Health Worker or Promotores de Salud program in Snohomish County. She has received awards from the WA State Public Association, and the 2015 Providence Institute Agency Change Maker Award. She formerly co-chaired the Community Health Board Coalition and was part of the Board of Directors for Leadership of Snohomish County. She currently serves on the board of Directors for MAS, Movimiento AfroLatino Seattle.

This event has been approved for 1 CEUs by the Washington Chapter, National Association of Social Workers (NASW) for Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists and Licensed Mental Health Counselors. Your Provider number is #1975-473