Amplifying the voices of those experiencing mental health challenges. Addressing the social determinants of mental health. Partnering with coalitions and civic leaders to connect resources, enact strong policies, and assure that mental health is at the forefront of discussions.
Recent Areas of Activity
Mental Health in Arizona’s Prisons
- Produced a comprehensive briefing of the status of mental health in Arizona correctional facilities including recommended courses of advocacy.
- Initiated a positive and collaborative relationship with the Director and top leadership of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry.
- Hosted an interreligious roundtable between the leaders of religious denominations and the ADCRR.
- Ongoing collaboration with our partners in the creation of an ecumenical toolkit to address the common goals surfaced through the project.
Serving Veterans
- Working with Our Lady of Joy Veterans Ministry to replicate their model and introduce it to other communities.
- Leveraged connections made through the Mayor of Glendale to become an advisor for mental health needs for the new housing project being developed by Veterans Community Project.
- Introducing the process of listening sessions as a potential procedure for intake at Catholic Charities MANA House.
Immigration Related Issues
- Composed a resource that addresses uncertainty and mental health challenges related to changes in immigration enforcement .
- Vetted and compiled appropriated resources for families to utilize to help bring down anxiety.
- Connected with our partners at the Office for Human Dignity, Catholic Charities, Valley Interfaith Project, and Arizona Faith Network to ensure complimentary efforts.
Engaging Municipalities and State Govt.
- Conducted multiple meetings with mayors and councilmembers throughout the diocese. This has opened doors to further connections, engagement, and resources throughout their communities as well as platforms to share the mission of the diocese.
- In addition to Corrections, we’ve engaged the State through AHCCCS and the Governor’s Office who have now invited us into further policy conversations.
Affordable and Supportive Housing
- Connected to our Housing for Hope, ALLThrive365, and St. Joseph the Worker leadership to learn the struggles for affordable housing and the impacts that has on those with mental health challenges. Advocating with city governments to have a permissive disposition for zoning approvals for affordable and supportive housing initiatives. Connected to collective efforts through VIP and AFN to move housing friendly initiatives through the legislature.
- Engaged with AZ Mad Moms in advocating for permanent supportive housing and in-patient beds for those designated with Serious Mental Illness.
Gathering Feedback
- Developed mental health listening session modules for Adult Parish Groups, High School Students, School Faculty and Staff, Service Organizations, and Individuals. These sessions include simple prompts that automatically populate a spreadsheet here at the diocese and gives us actionable data on people’s needs and experiences.
- Actively engaged in the unhoused and incarcerated populations to learn from their experiences.
Access to Care
- Gathering information on dynamics between group home support for behavioral health and insurance approval for services.
- Connecting with a wide variety of resources and organizations to learn what services they provide in order to guide or ministries.
- Engaged with the State, AFN, and VIP to strategize how to mitigate the effects of pending Medicaid cuts to the most vulnerable.
- Collaborating with the Coconino County Attorney to work on initiatives that route people with substance abuse and mental health challenges into care rather than incarceration.
Areas for Future Engagement
Extending our Reach
- Forming a small team of advisors in the area of Mental Health Advocacy who have interest and experience in public policy and/or community organizing as it relates to mental health.
- Engaging parish communities into active participation in the prison work that we are developing with our interfaith partners including volunteer organization and recruitment, program delivery, and re-entry training for congregations.
- Training key leaders to facilitate listening sessions. Developing a proposal for diocesan advocacy summit.