The NNED keeps you in the know on what’s happening in behavioral health equity in the U.S. and around the world. Our collection of articles from multiple sources cover important headlines, recent findings, proposal calls, and more.
The Opioid Addiction Crisis and Racism: A Long, Troubled History
07/30/21
In the past few years, opioids have seen an increase in media attention, as the country grapples with what has been called an opioid epidemic. However, opioid addiction is not just a plague of recent decades; the phenomenon of widespread opioid addicti …
Breaking Down Barriers to Recovery From Addiction for the LGBTQIA+ Community
07/28/21
As the LGBTQIA+ population faces greater stigma, discrimination, harassment and violence, they bear a higher risk of behavioral health issues, including addiction or substance use disorders (SUD). Just so, members of these communities report significan …
Mental Health and Substance Use Considerations Among Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic
07/26/21
During the COVID-19 pandemic, children have experienced major disruptions as a result of public health safety measures, including school closures, social isolation, financial hardships, and gaps in health care access. Many parents have reported poor me …
Rural Veterans Mental Health Bill Heads to President
07/23/21
The U.S. Senate voted unanimously to approve bipartisan legislation to expand mental health care for rural veterans. The legislation now heads to the desk of President Biden for his signature. The Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans’ Mental Health Act, named i …
Search Is on for Landlords to House Homeless on Oahu
07/21/21
Millions of dollars’ worth of new housing vouchers are becoming available on Oahu just as a statewide ban on COVID-19- related evictions is scheduled to end in August, leading to fears that a new generation of families is about to become homeless. So a …
Community Therapists Help Nepali Refugees From Bhutan Peel Back Layers of Trauma
07/19/21
Uma Acharya knows the daily hardships that refugees must go through just to survive. Born in a refugee camp in Nepal after her family escaped government persecution in Bhutan, she witnessed the poor living conditions and lack of resources during the 15 …
Black LGBTQ+ Mental Health Matters: A Conversation with Mental Health Expert Dr. Mahogany Hall
07/16/21
Even as mental health is becoming normalized in Black communities, being Black, LGBTQ+, and seeking mental health support can still be challenging. BGN reached out to Dr. Mahogany Hall to provide some mental health tips for any Black LGBTQ+ individuals …
Director Hoping to Change Mental Health Stigma Within Latino Community
07/14/21
A local Latino director is taking action to break the stigma surrounding mental health in Hispanic communities. “Rompiendo Olas,” or “Breaking Waves”, is a five-minute film in Spanish produced and directed by local Latino filmmaker Adan Avalos. He took …
‘Domino Effect of Discrimination’: Polling Shows Mental Health and Career Impacts of Anti-Asian Hate
07/12/21
In addition to concerns for physical safety, Asian Americans are saying rising incidents of anti-Asian hate during the pandemic are having a lasting impact on their mental health, well-being, and future careers. Some 42% of Asian Americans say experien …
NNED Virtual Roundtable: Creating and Enhancing Pathways to a Racially/Ethnically Diverse Behavioral Health Workforce
07/09/21
2021 Virtual Roundtable Series: Community-Based Organizations Build Pathways to Behavioral Health Equity for Communities of Color Within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial disparities, community-based organizations (CBOs) have elevated the …