Discovery

In Cohort 2’s meeting on December 12, 2024, the Discovery process was reviewed step by step and then explored via small group simulations on an individual level.    

ICEBREAKER

In one sentence, state what positive actions/steps you will (or would like to) be taking in the future months in response to the recent election results? Turn and talk in pairs.

OBJECTIVES OF DISCOVERY

The goals of the Discovery process are: 

• To increase awareness, knowledge, access and agency regarding mental health throughout Needham.

• To identify the knowledge, attitudes, norms, needs & assets that exist within each liaison community. Questions will include topics such as what MH means to the group, what MH challenges does the group face? What resources are available? And what messengers are relied on?

1. Findings will directly inform the language and content of events/programs this spring. 
2. Sharing a summary of results—tailored to each community—will build trust in Cohort 2 participants as a MH messenger, while introducing the project and launching momentum for program/event planning this spring. 

• To identify overlaps and differences that exist across liaison communities. 

Findings will enable the Cohort as a whole, and our community’s MH stakeholders, to identify shared values & challenges, liaison groups’ differential needs/assets, and gaps in services.

CALENDAR FOR DISCOVERY PROCESS AND OUTPUTS

December

• Cohort: Review & provide feedback on questionnaire 
• Schedule Discovery sessions

January

• Conduct Discovery sessions
• Send recordings 

February 

• NRN research team: Analysis

March 

• Cohort: Reflection on Discovery results

1. Learnings for liaison groups
2. Learnings for Cohort 2 community
3. Learnings for MH stakeholders

• Participants: 

1. Share findings with each liaison group
2. Apply learnings to language/programming for your liaison group

SMALL GROUP DISCOVERY PRACTICE and FEEDBACK:

During the December 12th meeting, each breakout group, simulating a focus group, ran through an introduction and several questions of the Discovery to gain a sense of the process, and to share questions about the process and facilitation. Some initial feedback and observations included ideas about mental health (i.e., MH is not necessarily a positive term - can have negative connotations). Different communities utilize different language to describe emotional health. There is a balance sought between physical, cognitive and emotional health, and spirituality can be a part of wellness. The setting of communications norms (confidentiality step, then leave space for others, expect a variety of responses and some that are a contrast to your own perspectives) and structure for the time are important tools to ensure a smooth process.

GROUP BIO

CHINESE FRIENDS OF NEEDHAM (CFON) - LIN YUAN 

CFON, founded in 2010 has grown to include 500 families and over 1000 members.

The group highlights community engagement and youth leadership, and works to: 

• Promote education of Chinese language, culture, and heritage through building a vibrant Chinese American community in and around Needham

• Deepen Chinese communities’ civic engagement and creating an equal, inclusive, and diverse neighborhood for Asian Americans to thrive

• Strengthen diversity and inclusion through close collaboration with other local non-profit organizations and build allyship

CFON enjoys being a part of a larger parent organization - with shared learning and gathering. 

China is evolving as is the understanding of Chinese language and culture. The ways in which we think of China have changed a lot over decades. CFON aims to reinforce inclusion and strengthen diversity. 

There are two big annual events in Needham, one around the Lunar New Year in January, at the Newman School, which includes performances and requires many hours of preparation. In May CFON hosts the AAPI festival focused on art. In addition, there is also participation in lots of school and comp events, like the Needham Annual Multicultural Festival and the Harvest Fair.

Cohort members noted that the town has a sister city in China - Daqing. Representatives from the town’s management traveled there in 2016 and most recently representatives from there came to Needham. The focal point of the relationship is learning about the ways in which we structure local government. 

CLOSING PULSE: 

Each participant shared about one thing that either surprised, challenged, or encouraged them. Responses included: 

• Inspired by the input from others
• Excited - fun to get feedback and simply communicating about MH might alleviate some anxiety and normalize emotional concerns
• Now have more clarity on how this will work
• Curious to see how my cohort responds
• Curious imagining who will be in the group and how to get it together
• Interesting to hear from my group and talk about this in a safe space
• Excited that this may be an opportunity to draw in newer folks in my group 
• Motivated - just by talking about MH as a concept may help people to consider issue and enact change 
• Enlightened - looking at this in a more positive way
• Very normative and feels like I’m offering something different - if open social media there are thousands of things about MH, but no one is really asking ‘what does this mean?’ - before trying to create solutions 

Onward!

Bala and Ramin (NRN Co- Facilitators) 

__________

Flow of the Year