Valuing Diversity: Developing Cultural Humility in Mental Health Outreach and Engagement
In Honor of July as BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
Speaker
Gigi R. Crowder, L.E., Executive Director, NAMI Contra Costa
Summary
For our July 2023 General Meeting, in honor of BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month, NAMI Contra Costa Executive Director Gigi Crowder shared her presentation “Valuing Diversity: Developing Cultural Humility in Mental Health Outreach and Engagement.” The presentation gave an overview of cultural humility, and participants considered unique cultural factors and barriers that resulted in various community groups being underserved and inappropriately served by mental health systems. Participants examined culturally responsive strategies to effectively reach and engage a variety of community groups. The presentation was specific to Contra Costa County and what it could do to create a sense of belonging for BIPOC residents impacted by mental illness. The meeting was interactive with breakout groups because the goal was to educate and ensure ALL voices were heard.
Gigi is the Executive Director for NAMI Contra Costa, having accepted this position in January 2018, after serving in a consultant role as their Fund Developer. She was also the FaithNet Coordinator and had advanced efforts statewide to reduce mental health stigma by training Faith Leaders using the Mental Health Friendly Communities training curriculum she co-designed. Gigi promoted utilizing natural resources such as those found in faith/spiritual communities and worked hard to advocate for the use of community-defined strategies for all, with a particular focus on better addressing the needs of unserved, underserved, and inappropriately served ethnic and cultural communities.
Her current focus is addressing the needs of those living with mental illness who were often criminalized for living with a medical condition. Highlights of her career included being inducted into the Alameda County Women Hall of Fame for her work in developing programs to enhance employment opportunities for individuals living with mental illness, receiving the 2013 MHAAC Mental Health Achievement Award. She also received the 2016 Multi-Cultural Outreach Award from NAMI California, the 2020 “Making a Difference Award” from the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County. Under her leadership, NAMI CC won the NAMI National 2021 Multicultural Outreach Award. On January 18th, 2022, she was deemed the 2022 Adult Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian of the Year by the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County. In November, she was honored as the 2022 East Bay Leadership Council with the Change Maker Philanthropic Award. On June 7th, Gigi accepted the California Nonprofit of the Year Award on behalf of NAMI CC.
