Conversations for Action and Change at the Grant County Business and Conference Center Offers Engagement with Providers and Community Participation in Future Directions of NM Behavioral Health
SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO (Nov, 20, 2023) The Center for Health Innovation Public Health Institute (CHI-PHI) is holding a Community Wellness and Health Fair Event: Conversations for Action and Change on December 7th, from 4-6:30 at the Grant County Business and Conference Center.
The event is designed to give the community, behavioral health providers and elected officials an update on current health services in the SW NM area based on CHI-PHI's Behavioral Health Systems Analysis, a recently completed mapping research project, and to engage with the community in practical and meaningful ways. The goal of the event is to share information on services, and to begin conversations with the community about real input into policy agendas, system changes, and the services they have available to them now and into the future.
"Behavioral health systems are complex, multifaceted, and can be difficult to grasp," said Dr. Stacey Cox, CEO of the Center for Health Innovation Public Health Institute. "They cover every age group, every mental and behavioral health issue, and they intersect with general healthcare via many entry and exit points, and just as many payment structures. Our Southwestern NM Behavioral Health Systems Analysis research outcomes give New Mexicans and elected officials a framework to understand the overall BH system in the state so we can understand how the system currently functions in order to optimize what we have in place. Seeing the system clearly – from early childhood to seniors, from substance misuse to anxiety and depression – will allow us to identify weaknesses, understand strengths, and test solutions."
The Health Fair Event
In addition to the update on current services, the event will include interactive group sessions with community attendees around behavioral health issues from their perspective, and offer craft and creative expression opportunities for adults and children. This SAFE SPACE is meant to both gather information on community needs, and give local behavioral health and legal aid providers an opportunity to engage and provide information on how to access their services in Grant County. Local community leaders will also be in attendance. Share your ideas and have your voice heard, while also learning about the current behavioral health services mapping that is underway.
"In the immediate future, behavioral health systems will remain complex, but understanding the landscape will give New Mexico the ability to build clarity and adaptability into behavioral health services and structures," said Dr. Cox. "New Mexicans deserve healthier and more vibrant communities that include strong, personalized, and reliable behavioral health systems."
The Center for Health Innovation Public Health Institute
The Center for Health Innovation Public Health Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization that works with communities, nonprofits, legislatures and law enforcement to advance health, resilience, and social justice for all New Mexicans. Our goal is to support thriving communities of healthy people. As a public health institute CHI-PHI develops research, supports leadership, and builds partnerships for effective health policy, programs, systems, and practices. We also offer targeted services, training and policy development support for other nonprofits, and local communities in the areas of behavioral health, workforce development, capacity building, training and technical assistance. Systemic improvements can and do impact health outcomes by helping organizations and communities create equitable conditions, providing access to the resources people need to live healthy, happy lives. https://chi-phi.org/
WHAT: Community Wellness and Health Fair Event: Conversations for Action and Change
WHEN: December 7, 2023 4-6:30 pm
WHERE: The Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center, in Silver City, NM, next to Ace Hardware. 3031 Highway 180 East, Silver City, NM 88061
For more information: phievent.org