Groups Gather to Address Mental Health Needs in the Black Community

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Mental health clinicians, educator, and community groups from throughout the Inland area attended the February 10 African American Mental Health Coalition, Second Annual Mental Health Symposium, “Breaking the Secret” program at the Santos Manuel Student Union at Cal State University San Bernardino. The focus of the gathering was reducing the stigmas surrounding the presence of mental illnesses and other negative conditions in people’s personal and family lives. V. Diane Woods, Dr.PH, MSN, RN, the founder of the African American Health Institute of San Bernardino County, left, was the keynote presenter; and Rev Larry Campbell, Pastor of St Paul A.M.E. Church, Executive Director of the Community Development Outreach Corporation, right, identified the need for close interaction between mental health services and the African American church. (Photo by John Coleman, CP Times, ©2012)