CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new program in Mecklenburg County offers free services to Black and brown communities as North Carolina officials continue to tackle mental health issues statewide.
Village HeartBEAT is seeking solutions to the mental health crisis and working to gain trust in high priority ZIP codes. Village HeartBEAT is using the new pilot program, Bridge to Better Mental Health, to provide support for Black and brown communities.
"The program that we currently have will cover uninsured and underinsured individuals 18 and over," Joelle Dugue, executive director of Village HeartBEAT, said.
The program's goal is to build trust and comfort by connecting Black people with Black providers. Village HeartBEAT has partnered with seven churches in high-need areas to increase accessibility.
"Really focusing in the crescent areas, high-priority zipcodes," Dugue said. "All of the churches are a part of the hub, they are located in high-priority ZIP codes."
Robert Scott is the senior pastor at St. Paul Baptist Church, one of the seven hubs providing space for mental health sessions. In his own words, Scott says, "Jesus and therapy works."
"There are some things beyond my pay grade and with that, I do referrals with things that are psychotherapeutic," Scott explained.
He's noticed an uptick in suicide attempts and violence, especially among the youth. Many of those problems derive from anger. Scott said he's optimistic it can be mitigated as people learn to manage their feelings in a more constructive way.
"Our challenges in the African American community deals with death and dying and not having a safe space to process their grief," Scott said. "When we introduce this program, we have to meet people where they are."
Scott said right now the church is training and preparing its space with hopes of healing minds and empowering the youth, one community at a time.
"We are hoping that within the first year, we can at least get 45 to 50 people to participate," he said.
Participating churches
- Faith Memorial Missionary Baptist Church
- First Baptist Church-West
- Moores's Sanctuary AME Zion Church
- Parkwood Institutional CME Church
- Rockwell AME Zion Church
- St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church
- The Heights Ministries
Contact Tradesha Woodard at twoodard1@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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