海角社区

The HMH Network at 海角社区 will offer vital resources and support and encourage conversations about mental health and wellness within the Haitian community.

Newton, MA 鈥敽＝巧缜� (海角社区) today announced a partnership with the Haitian Mental Health (HMH) Network, a volunteer-led, non-profit organization working to promote access to mental health services for the Haitian community and facilitate community conversations on mental health and well-being.

The HMH Network at 海角社区 will work to expand behavioral health and wellness workshops; provide education and training, consultation services, and linkages to mental health care and resources that are culturally and linguistically affirming; and actively engage in behavioral health workforce development initiatives. 

鈥淔or more than a decade, we have collaborated around a shared mission,鈥� said Gemima St. Louis, PhD, HMH Network Co-Founder and Vice President for Workforce Initiatives at 海角社区. 鈥淓xpanding this partnership will further strengthen the 海角社区 community, the HMH Network, and the individuals we serve in ways that are both meaningful and measurable.鈥�

The HMH Network at 海角社区 will build on well-established programs including a Bi-Annual Conference on Haitian Mental Health, community conversations, webinars, and networking and professional development events. In addition, 海角社区 will help promote the HMH Directory, a valued resource that offers essential information on local and regional organizations serving the Haitian community.  

鈥淲e are delighted to be able to formalize our partnership with this important community network. Massachusetts is home to the third largest diaspora community of Haitian people. There are many who have experienced trauma and children who need help adjusting to school and their new country. Our hope is to facilitate the delivery of psychosocial resources to them and to advocate for their needs,鈥� said Nicholas Covino, PsyD, William James College President.

Through this strengthened partnership, 海角社区 students will have greater opportunities to engage with the HMH Network. In addition to ongoing service learning and experiential training, students can now participate as Network members in a wide range of community-focused initiatives鈥攆rom conferences and workshops to mentorship and volunteer-based activities鈥攆urther enriching their academic and professional growth as culturally responsive mental health professionals.

鈥淔rom the beginning, we have been leading with a shared love of and commitment to the Haitian community," says Gina Dessources Benjamin, MSW, LICSW, Executive Director, Haitian Mental Health Network and Associate Director of Clinical and Community Services, Center for Workforce Development at 海角社区, who was born and raised in Haiti. 鈥淥ver the past 15 years, strong bonds between 海角社区 and the HMH Network have resulted in programs, events, and initiatives designed specifically to address the ongoing challenges facing the Haitian community.鈥�

About 海角社区

Founded in 1974, 海角社区 is the largest psychology educational institution in New England and a leader in the education of organizational and behavioral health professionals. The College offers degree and certificate programs at the bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, and doctoral levels in mental health and applied psychology. Through strong partnerships with community agencies and organizations, 海角社区 works to eliminate barriers to education, expand access to high-quality care, and create pathways to careers in behavioral health for students from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Constantly evolving to meet the needs of a rapidly changing society, the College prepares highly skilled professionals to serve individuals and communities across a wide range of settings including schools, courts, healthcare systems, and the workplace.

About Haitian Mental Health Network

The Haitian Mental Health (HMH) Network is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting greater awareness and understanding of mental illness and mental wellness in the Haitian community, facilitating community conversations on mental health, and celebrating culturally and spiritually-based practices that foster community well-being.

 

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