NAMI and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Launch New Partnership
Marlene Wooten. Photo provided by NAMI
By Sharon Pitts
And Still We Rise…
Maya Angelou often spoke to the resilience of African Americans, and black women in particular, in the face of a national culture that simultaneously exploits and devalues black people. Historically, black women have often been at the forefront (albeit behind male leadership) of efforts to improve the conditions of black people. Think of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. It was black women who did the behind-the-scenes work to carry out that historic effort.
Today black women once again step forward to better the black community on behalf of an often neglected but very important cause… mental health. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (AKA), has declared its commitment to expand mental health education awareness in the African American community and fight the stigma that exists about mental illness. The Asheville chapter of AKA, Gamma Gamma Omega, has launched a partnership with the Asheville affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMIWC).
Under the leadership of AKA Health Committee Co-Chairpersons Mary Harmon and Barbara Jones and NAMI WC members Dr. Jim & Sharon Pitts, several program initiatives have begun. Other AKA committee members are Sandra Anderson, Sandry Gaillard, Pamela Jones, and Brenda Wilkerson.
In July, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, leaflets were distributed to congregations where AKA Inc. members attend church. On August 20 the Asheville Housing Authority, at Pisgah View Community, will offer its initial Creating Awareness Event, aimed at introducing public housing residents to many resources available to low income persons who live in relative isolation.
At the 2015 Goombay Festival, held September 11-15, AKA and NAMI members will once again host a mental health booth. Leading up to National Mental Health Awareness Week, October 4-11, the Asheville Buncombe County Institute for Parity Achievement (ABIPA) will host a Mental Health Round Table on radio station WRES. Speakers from AKA Inc. and NAMIWC will discuss Mental Health issues.
When family members become concerned about their loved one’s mental health they often don’t know where to turn for help.
Do you have a loved one whose mental health concerns you? Could you use help seeking answers and finding services? Do you want to be more effective in helping your loved one? If so, AKA and NAMI encourage you to consider taking a free class called Family to Family that begins Tuesday, September 8.
Call or email Toni at (561) 703-7231 [email protected] for more information. A better life is waiting for your loved one.
