Focus on Behavioral Health Equity

Karen McNeil-Miller

The Colorado Health Symposium convened more than 600 public, physical and mental health professionals and clinicians, community activists and philanthropic leaders to discuss innovative approaches to addressing a myriad of behavioral health issues in Colorado's diverse communities.

Over the last two-and-a-half days, I had the honor of being part of the social media cohort for the 2018 symposium. Helping to amplify the critical conversations at #18CHS through Twitter, Instagram and Facebook has been a truly rewarding experience. The Colorado Health Foundation President and CEO Karen McNeil-Miller and her board leadership continues their commitment to advancing statewide discussions about prioritizing health equity

Issues and concerns that are shared by both urban and rural communities were addressed, such as early childhood and adolescent services, strengthening family and community supports, substance use interventions, and addressing social determinants of health. Many speakers discussed the confluence of societal factors that impact mental health disparities and outcomes. There was much discussion about the need to preserve -- as well as grow -- access to the health care safety net in Colorado that was made possible by Medicaid expansion through the Affordable Care Act. Many solutions are anchored in policy, with intentionality toward health access and health equity.

I'll have more to share about conference proceedings, but in the meantime, here are select video archives of presentations and panel discussions that featured diverse voices in our community,

Comilla Sasson, MD, shares her journey from surviving a difficult childhood marred with domestic violence, bullying, depression and anxiety to discovering her life purpose of becoming a healer.

CHF Board President Jerome Davis talked about stories that he heard from communities across Colorado, and how the listening tour has served to sharpen the Foundation's resolve to focus on behavioral health inequities that impact the lives of Coloradans.

Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto

In "Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto," renowned Marxian scholar and philosopher Kohei Saito offers a compelling argument against the relentless pursuit of economic growth that permeates contemporary capitalism. Saito’s thesis focuses on the concept of degrowth—a radical reduction in production and consumption that aligns with sustainable ecological limits rather than constant expansion. Pictured above is Kohei Saito Saito makes a significant and timely contribution to the ongoing conversation about sustainable living. Slow Down adopts an interdisciplinary approach, drawing insights from environmental science, economics, and social theory to present a clear and urgent depiction of the current ecological crisis. Saito critiques the widely accepted belief that economic growth equates to progress and questions the sustainability of existing global consumption patterns. He advocates for a fundamental reshaping of our economic systems to prioritize human well-being and ecologica...

Enlighten Me

Editor's Note: This review was originally published in Los Angeles Book Review . Author Minh Lê Standing up for oneself seems like doing the right thing. Binh did just that in the face of a racist school bully who was poking fun at his Asian heritage. But physically assaulting another student goes against school policy, and it was Binh who got in trouble. Binh shares a silent retreat with his family and younger siblings. Along with other children, he learns about stories from the previous lives of the Buddha. The stories are interesting, but for Binh, it is difficult to sit still and clear his mind when he misses his Gameboy. While he struggles with silence, he learns important lessons about friendship, community, and being present. In the graphic novel "Enlighten Me," award-winning author Minh Lê and bestselling illustrator Chan Chau tell the story of a boy who gains a better understanding of himself as he works on quieting the mind and reflecting on dharma. Lê and Ch...

Minding the Wealth Gap

As a Black investor and startup founder, Cliff Goins IV brings firsthand experience and sharp insight to one of America’s most urgent issues: the racial wealth gap. Having navigated the worlds of finance and entrepreneurship, Goins has seen up close the systemic disparities in wealth creation, access to capital, and asset management. From unequal opportunities in homeownership and education to persistent challenges in business funding and employment, the historical gaps are perpetuated in present-day practices. In "Minding the Wealth Gap," Goins skillfully blends data, lived experience, and the insights of experts to illuminate the deep-rooted economic disparities facing Black Americans. More importantly, he highlights the power of collective uplift. Through the voices of nine dynamic “gap closers,” Goins shows how real change happens when Black investors and leaders open doors for others. Each success “play” or strategy underscores the ripple effect of support. Selena Cu...

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