CommitteeChanging Perceptions and Stigma
This committee works to change perceptions and eliminate stigma related to behavioral health and mental health issues, both of which can become barriers to seeking treatment.
Next meeting:
Actionable Goals
- Support collegiate recovery communities across universities and colleges, and support the behavioral health community on college campuses.
- Ensure that youth and people with lived experiences are represented on BHC committees.
- Support and advertise community stigma-intervention work.
Members
Dr. Valerie Earnshaw
Co-Chair
Beth Jeker
Co-Chair
Accomplishments to Date
Assessed current outreach efforts and recommend ways to track gaps in information outreach. Helped to inform the development of a tracking approach for outreach and awareness.
Increased awareness and training on the legislative process for advocates and providers.
Established continuing education units (CEU) credit for the cultural humility learning requirement across disciplines.
Educated public officials and community leaders on the stigma associated with behavioral health, to better influence policymaking.
Cultivated relationships with the business community, encouraging employment for individuals. Evaluated workplace hiring policies regarding the need to disclose behavioral health history.
Offered basic behavioral health training to professional groups across the state.
Offered behavioral health training to construction and food services industries.
Built relationships with Delaware institutions of higher education to discuss ways to support the collegiate recovery community and the behavioral health needs of students.
Assessed the level of engagement of individuals with lived experience in BHC efforts.