First Lady Chirlane McCray launched her new mental health initiative Sisters Thrive this week. The program is a women-led, family-centered volunteer effort to promote mental health literacy in Black communities.
McCray will spearhead a coalition that brings together six national service organizations to raise awareness about mental illness and substance misuse. She hopes to eliminate the the stigma associated with seeking treatment and encourage a more diverse mental health workforce.
Within its first year, the coalition will train 10,000 African-Americans in Mental Health First Aid and help develop a professional mental health pipeline – all part of a growing national movement to address unmet mental health needs in Black communities.
Sisters Thrive taps into that tradition to promote wellness, destigmatize mental illness and develop a more culturally competent mental health workforce,” she said. “Sisters Thrive leaders recognize that so much more can be achieved when organizations come together for a common cause. I look forward to working with these trailblazers and activists, who are so deeply committed to service in their communities.”
Several Black social organization are helping with Sisters Thrive including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Jack and Jill of America and The Links.