NNED - National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health Equity Best Practices for African Americans

February 5, 2024   |   1:30-3:00 pm EST

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) Office of Behavioral Health Equity invites you to join the Behavioral Health Equity Best Practices for African Americans event on Monday, February 5 at 1:30-3:00 pm EST. This dynamic webinar is a collaboration with SAMHSA’s Division of Children and School Mental Health, Mental Health Promotion Branch, Suicide Promotion Branch, and the 988 & Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office.

Behavioral health equity and access to high-quality and affordable healthcare services and support is the right of all individuals, regardless of race, age, ethnicity, gender, ability, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or geographical location. Advancing behavioral health equity means working to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

During this virtual Black History Month celebration, participants will learn how collaborations to leverage best practices can advance health equity within African American populations and for underserved communities.

During this webinar, participants will:

  • Increase awareness of best practices in health equity for African Americans
  • Understand resiliency and the impact of trauma within African American communities
  • Learn about the impact of training and capacity building programs for African American providers
View the Recording and Resources!

The event will also be shared on Facebook Live at fb.com/nned.net and closed captioning will be available through Zoom.

Learn more about the Office of Behavioral Health Equity!

Opening Remarks

Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon

Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration

Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon is currently Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. She previously served as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and served in this role for six years. Prior positions held at DMHAS include Deputy Commissioner, Senior Policy Advisor and Director of the department’s Office of Multicultural Healthcare Equity. In her role as Commissioner, Dr. Delphin-Rittmon was committed to promoting recovery oriented, integrated, and culturally responsive services and systems that foster dignity, respect, and meaningful community inclusion.

Dr. Larke N. Huang

Director, Office of Behavioral Health Equity (OBHE)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration

Larke Nahme Huang, Ph.D., is a Senior Advisor in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and Director of the Office of Behavioral Health Equity (OBHE). She is a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked at the interface of policy, research and practice in behavioral health for nearly 35 years. As the Director of OBHE, Dr. Huang provides leadership to advance equity and eliminate disparities in behavioral health for underserved, minoritized communities and to ensure an equity agenda in SAMHSA programs and policies. She implements innovative efforts to advance health equity based on metrics of access, quality and outcomes of care for underserved, diverse populations, elevating a focus on strengthening community-level efforts and the consideration of social determinants of health.

Monica Johnson

Director
988 & Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office

Monica Johnson, M.A., LPC is the Director of the 988 & Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office. Ms. Johnson has worked in the behavioral health field for 26 years and most recently served as the Interim Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Ms. Johnson has worked in community behavioral health in a variety of clinical, management and leadership roles, including program development and implementation of federally funded initiatives. Ms. Johnson has overseen and successfully implemented several programs funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention, and Department of Education.

Walker Tisdale III

Public Health Advisor, Office of Behavioral Health Equity (OBHE)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration

Walker Tisdale MPH, MA, LMSW is a Public Health Advisor and Government Project Officer within the Suicide Prevention Branch of SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services. He has over 25 years of expertise in both HIV prevention and suicide prevention work. He is a clinically trained social worker who has developed expertise in programmatic and community-level capacity building. Walker loves to share what he knows and learn from others.

Moderator

Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble

Founder
The AAKOMA Project Inc.

Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble (known as Dr. Alfiee) is a globally recognized authority and thought leader on mental health disparities and equity for intersectional Youth of Color, their families, and communities. She is a renowned scientist, author, speaker, and regularly appears in print and broadcast media as a mental health correspondent. Expert in research and clinical care for marginalized populations, she is highly regarded for translating complex scientific concepts into everyday language. With over 25 years of experience in academic medicine, honed at Duke and Georgetown Psychiatry and implemented at her innovative 501(c)(3) non-profit The AAKOMA Project, she is noted for her ability to draw in audiences and inspire. Dr. Alfiee’s media reach includes respected outlets like CNN, MSNBC/Peacock, The New York Times, The Washington Post, PBS, and more.

Speakers

Dr. Dawn Tyus

Director & Principal Investigator
African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence

Dr. Dawn Tyus is the Director and Principal Investigator of the African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence, and the Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center at Morehouse School of Medicine where she is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and the Office of Online Education and Expanded Programs. Dr. Tyus has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, a Master’s degree in Community Counseling, and a PhD in Counseling Studies. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Georgia.

Dr. Robyn Thomas

State Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Louisiana Department of Health

Robyn Thomas has a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), as well as a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Robyn has over 22 years of experience in state government, which includes 16 years of experience working with various departments within the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) including the Office of Behavioral Health.

Andria Bannister

Director BRJ-SOC
Partnership for Child Health

Andria Sherry Bannister was raised on the beautiful island of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands by parents who instilled in her the importance of being disciplined and integrity driven in all aspects of life. She has spent much of her adult life working in public service with Duval County Schools, the Florida House of Representatives, and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Presently, Andria works for Partnership for Child Health as the Director of the Building a Resilient Jacksonville System of Care.

Jocelyn Turner

CARE Initiative Director
Partnership for Child Health

Jocelyn Turner, a graduate of the University of Florida, is a seasoned public health professional. She retired in 2019 from the Florida Department of Health in Duval County after more than thirty-six years working in various roles. Her passion and concern for public health and community engagement didn’t stop, COVID-19 brought her out of retirement. She joined the team at the Partnership for Child Health in 2021.

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