BIPOC Mental Health Month

This month we are bringing awareness to BIPOC Mental Health Month by recognizing some of the disparities that exist in mental and behavioral health needs among our BIPOC community and highlighting some of our local resources.

State of Mental Health in America

Over 28 million individuals in the US

experiencing a mental illness,

are going untreated.

The state prevalence of untreated

adults with mental illness ranges

from: 69.1% (Hawaii)

40.6% (Montana)

California, unfortunately ranks as one of the highest in prevalence in this area at 49 out of 51

Minority Mental Health Disparities Snapshot

In 2021, in the US, it is estimated that only 39 percent of Black or African American adults, 25 percent of Asian adults, and 36 percent of Hispanic/Latino adults with any mental illness were treated, compared to 52 percent of non-Hispanic white adults.

The Sonoma County Black Forum offers the Black Therapy program, which provides 12 free therapy sessions for eligible Sonoma County Residents. You can access their application page here.

Perinatal Depressive Symptoms:

In Sonoma County, our most recent data from the state shows that our Asian and Pacific Islander community members, followed by our Hispanic/Latinx community, have the highest rates of perinatal depressive symptoms.

Download the MHA Mental Health Toolkit

Webinar on You Tube:

Advancing Behavioral Health Equity - National CLAS Standards in Action

Here comes another Heat Wave

The county’s Department of Emergency Management added a new chapter to its playbook last month that will guide the region’s response when temperatures get too hot or too cold.

Under the plan, the county will work with nonprofits, faith-based organizations, libraries and other community groups to protect the public by opening warming centers during freeze warnings and cooling stations during high-heat events. The county will spearhead the response in unincorporated areas and work with cities to notify the public of warming and cooling centers elsewhere.

Click the links below:

Find local cooling

centers here

Press Democrat's

11 ways to escape the heat

Fire/Disaster Preparedness

Learn how to protect yourself and your family during a disaster by attending the second annual Sonoma Ready event in Roseland on Aug. 10 at Bayer Park, 1550 West Ave. Participants will learn how to find your evacuation zone, sign up for alerts and work together to keep your neighborhood safe. Each family will receive a free go-bag, while supplies last, and a chance to win raffle prizes.

The bilingual event, held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., is sponsored by the county Department of Emergency Management in partnership with the City of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Fire Department and Latino Service Providers. A taco truck will be on site for participants who wish to purchase dinner.

World Breast Feeding month up next in August - Stay Tuned!

Enjoy the rest of Summer! Stay Cool!

Sonoma County Maternal Child and Adolescent Health website