The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and The BarberTime Media Network present a virtual town hall event “Coping with COVID-19 Stress in Children and Families of Color” in response to the devastating effects of COVID-19 in communities of color throughout Massachusetts. Boston City Councilor At-Large, Julia Mejia will lead a panel discussion consisting of mental health experts and community barbers and stylists who will discuss coping strategies and resources available for children and families of color.
Barbers and stylists have always been viewed, within communities of color, as resources to share information and discuss important topics. The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health has partnered with barbers and stylists, through The BarberTime Media Network, to provide valuable resources to the community. The goal of the event is to provide a forum for the community to discuss how to cope with the stress and other mental health issues related to the pandemic.
The virtual event is scheduled for Monday, July 20, at 1 p.m. The one-hour event will live stream on Facebook and will also be available for replay through The BarberTime Media Network.
Host and Moderator is Julia Mejia, Boston City Councilor, At-Large. Panelists will include Dr. Mathieu Bermingham, Metro-West Center for Well Being; Malika Arty, Boston Public Health Commission; Kueen Dickerson King, stylist; Sadler “Dr. Boogs” Lacross, barber; and Jorge Sierra, barber, author/speaker.
Registration and full details of the event can be found at Eventbrite; dmh_townhall.eventbrite.com.
The public is encouraged to ask questions to the panelists in advance of the virtual town hall by using the link on the Eventbrite page.
About the Department of Mental Health (DMH)
The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health provides services to adults, children, and adolescents with long-term or serious mental illness and serious emotional disturbance; provides early and ongoing treatment for mental illness; and conducts research into the causes of and treatments for mental illness. Through state-operated inpatient facilities and community mental health centers and through community services and programs provided by nearly 200 mental health providers, DMH directly serves 29,000 residents, including about 3,500 children and adolescents, with severe and persistent mental illness and serious emotional disturbance.
About the BarberTime Media Network
Barber shops and salons are important news, cultural and support systems for communities of color. The BarberTime Media Network (TBMN) has risen to and formalized that role by forming alliance within the community and launching communications outlets including a radio program, TV show, eight magazines and a vibrant website.
For more information about the Virtual Town Hall and coping with COVID-19, visit dmh_townhall.eventbrite.com.
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