``Innovating behavioral health for all.``
BeHealth.Today
The BeHealth.Today experience successfully demonstrated that persons with lived experience, community members, providers of behavioral health services (many of whom are persons with lived experience), entrepreneurs and others could come together to innovate behavioral health using human centered design thinking. At least five (5) desirable, feasible, viable BIG IDEAS to connect persons with behavioral health needs to services through the use of technology were generated. The experience of learning (about HCDT) and working with others (to take ideas deeper) has had a beneficial impact on participants in that they have reported improved social and professional connections, as well as increased self-efficacy.
Stepping Higher
Negative attitudes (prejudice) and negative responses (discrimination) can compromise a person’s perception of worth and cause feelings of deep shame (stigma). Stepping Higher, Inc. (SHI) is a non-profit community service organization dedicated to the restoration, development and establishment of cultural and personal achievement for all. SHI recently entered into partnership with the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health Services to develop and offer the Stepping Higher Faith-based and Behavioral Health Academy, a training and certification program for faith-based leaders and behavioral health providers.
SDSU’s Social Policy Institute provided technical assistance in the design and delivery of The Academy, with tools to reduce stigma and increase access to behavioral health services, particularly for African American and Latinx populations, who are often underserved. The Academy promotes mutual appreciation of the role of spirituality in positive mental health and how faith – based and behavioral health professionals can work together to promote community wellness.
For more information or to register for the next Academy, click here.