NE Delta HSA Conducts Second Faith-Based Mental Health Summit
Monroe, LA (PRWEB) March 01, 2016 -- Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NE Delta HSA) conducted a second Faith-Based Mental Health Summit on Saturday that again brought together regional clergy and mental health leadership toward greater understanding of citizens’ mental health needs. Studies show that engagement between faith-based organizations and traditional mental health service providers helps reduce stigma, ensures greater access to services and helps eliminate communications barriers to mental health services.
Pastors Danny and Carolyn Hunt of the H.E.A.R.T.S. Coalition facilitated the second Faith-Based Mental Health Summit, which included panel-led discussions comprised of clergy and mental health leaders. Discussion topics included:
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder within the Family – John Pope, Ph.D., LPC-Mental Health, University of Louisiana, Monroe
• Clergy Burnout and Depression – Tobe Momah, M.D. , Medical Director, Primary Health Services Center
• Drug Use in the Mental Health Field – Kerry Scott, Ph.D., LAC, LPC-S, Director of Clinical Services, Horizon Rehabilitation Center, Inc.
• Counseling within the Church; Health Care Ministry – Kelvin C. Wade, M.D., Internal Medicine
• Primary Care Resources Available for Behavioral Health Issues – Ms. Clara Chatmon, Outreach Specialist, Primary Health Services Center
• NE Delta HSA Behavioral Healthcare Approach – Monteic A. Sizer, Ph.D., Executive Director, NE Delta HSA
“At our first Faith-Based Mental Health Summit, the expert panelists expressed a desire to continue this important work. We realize that our state is responsible for providing mental health, substance abuse and developmental disabilities services to our citizens,” said Dr. Monteic A. Sizer, NE Delta HSA Executive Director, “but all of the entities that provide human services in our region must continue to work together, collaborate and offer a path forward to our regional families and parishioners. None of us can do it best if we try to do it alone. ”
“Especially within these challenging budgetary times,” said Dr. Sizer, “a focus on current healthcare trends that addresses the collaborations we’ve set in motion among faith-based groups, law enforcement teams, primary healthcare groups, hospital systems, community and business leaders, public health entities and our legislators is essential. We also hope to forge collaborations with philanthropic organizations that focus on issues of poverty and behavioral healthcare gaps.”
“We are taking a cue from previous Louisiana initiatives, like Solutions to Poverty and the Delta Initiative, which focused on reducing poverty and increasing opportunities – but we will now utilize our regional collaborations to further move the needle toward prosperity and healthy lives. We feel strongly that when we work collaboratively with prioritized objectives, sound public policy, best practices and expert resources implemented by outstanding professionals, we will move even closer to realizing positive outcomes for our citizens in northeast Louisiana.”
Click here to see photos from the Summit of the NE Delta HSA Facebook page.
NE Delta HSA does not promote or endorse religion, nor does it promote any particular religious viewpoint.
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About Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (Northeast Delta HSA)
Northeast Delta HSA directs the operation of community-based programs to improve the quality of life of people with major mental illness, developmental disabilities and addictive disorders. Northeast Delta HSA is devoted to deliver programs and services that encourage people to reach their true human potential.
Three tenets guide our efforts: excellent customer service, greater access to services and competent, quality care. Northeast Delta HSA serves citizens in 12 parishes of northeastern Louisiana: Caldwell, East Carroll, West Carroll, Ouachita, Lincoln, Madison, Franklin, Morehouse, Jackson, Tensas, Richland and Union. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.nedeltahsa.org or call 318-362-3270.
Media Contact:
Jill Hirsekorn
Northeast Delta HSA Public Information Director
2513 Ferrand Street, Monroe, LA 71201
Phone 318-362-5482
NE Delta HSA Press & Media
Jill Hirsekorn, Northeast Delta Human Services Authority, http://www.nedeltahsa.org, +1 318-362-5482, [email protected]
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