CHBC’s Mental Health Systems and Policy Work

Three multiracial middle-aged women standing together and smiling.

Mental illness is a significant public health crisis that disproportionately impacts BIPoC due to structural racism. For the CHBC, mental health emerged as a priority for research, policy, and organizing before the COVID-19 pandemic. The overall emotional and psychological stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is particularly acute in our communities and has solidified CHBC’s focus on mental health systems and policy work.

Our mental health system and policy work will address the disparate impact of COVID-19 among our communities by addressing causes of mental health issues rooted in structural racism that have been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. We will focus on four core strategy areas:

Strengthening partnerships and training among community health workers and mental health systems.
Advancing programs and services that address the root causes of mental illness in BIPoC communities.
Increasing the number of BIPoC mental health providers.
Ensuring BIPoC communities have access to culturally-grounded mental health services.

Join our efforts and stay connected to our work!

Covid-19 and the impact on BIPOC Youth

Since the coronavirus arrived, depression and anxiety in America have become rampant. Federal surveys show that 40 percent of Americans are now grappling with at least one mental health or drug-related problem. But young adults have been hit harder than any other age group, with 75 percent struggling.