On Sunday, May 20, my daughter Carmilla and I had the wonderful opportunity to take part in the annual NAMIWalk in downtown Portland. The 5K walk/run is a fund-raiser designed to raise awareness for the work of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which advocates for access to mental health services, treatment, supports and research.
The Portland event drew hundreds of people to Eastbank Esplanade, many of whom have set fund-raising goals to support the work of NAMI in the local area. NAMI NW Walk Honorary Chair Dave Dahl, founder of Dave's Killer Bread, talked about overcoming clinical depression, meth addiction and multiple incarcerations.
My interest in the work of NAMI in Oregon is inspired by my exposure to public health issues through Colors of Influence profiles, as well as my work with CareOregon, an administrator of the Oregon Health Plan. Medical and mental health challenges often go hand-in-hand. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, nicotine addiction, and morbid obesity often have roots in clinical depression and other mental health issues that often go undiagnosed and untreated.
It is not surprising that mental health care disparities exist among communities of color. The U.S. Surgeon General has reported, people from diverse communities—both adults and children—are less likely than whites to receive needed mental health care. When they do receive treatment, they often receive poorer-quality care. People from diverse communities often face additional barriers to treatment, such as discrimination and a lack of culturally competent mental health providers and services.
The Portland event drew hundreds of people to Eastbank Esplanade, many of whom have set fund-raising goals to support the work of NAMI in the local area. NAMI NW Walk Honorary Chair Dave Dahl, founder of Dave's Killer Bread, talked about overcoming clinical depression, meth addiction and multiple incarcerations.
My interest in the work of NAMI in Oregon is inspired by my exposure to public health issues through Colors of Influence profiles, as well as my work with CareOregon, an administrator of the Oregon Health Plan. Medical and mental health challenges often go hand-in-hand. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, nicotine addiction, and morbid obesity often have roots in clinical depression and other mental health issues that often go undiagnosed and untreated.
It is not surprising that mental health care disparities exist among communities of color. The U.S. Surgeon General has reported, people from diverse communities—both adults and children—are less likely than whites to receive needed mental health care. When they do receive treatment, they often receive poorer-quality care. People from diverse communities often face additional barriers to treatment, such as discrimination and a lack of culturally competent mental health providers and services.