news-record.com

The Mental Health Association in Greensboro was honored recently for its work with Latino mental health issues.

The organization received the Betty Humphrey Cultural Competence Award, one of four national awards given by Mental Health America.

"I think it's really a recognition of the penetration that we have done into the Latino community and our ability to connect people to the resources they need," said Blair Benson, executive director of the association.

The Latino initiatives began in September 2006 and were originally funded by the Moses Cone-Wesley Long Community Health Foundation.

It developed as a way to address the growing needs of the Latino community and the stigma Latinos often face, Benson said.

"The three main things (are) heightening awareness of mental health issues, increasing collaboration among agencies serving the Latino community and improving access to and develop additional services to support mental health for the population," she said.

Benson said recent Latino immigrants face higher incidence of suicide, teen pregnancy and substance abuse as they try to navigate a world where they face language barriers and the stigma of being immigrants.

Among the services offered are four free, Spanish-speaking mental health support groups.

Also, a monthly Latino Mental Health Network brings people and agencies together to coordinate resources.

Benson said anyone who wants to take advantage of these resources may call the Mental Health Association in Greensboro at 373-1402 or e-mail Barbara Law at blaw@mhag.org.

Contact Kavita Pillai at 373-7157 or kavita.pillai@news-record.com