WATERFORD —A panel discussion on minority mental health taking place here February 25, will explore issues unique to people of different ethnic groups. Professionals and mental health advocates will examine and discuss mental health risk factors; identify ways to effectively deal with service disparities; and address the substance use/mental illness link and how people of minority groups are disproportionately affected. 

The event is being sponsored by the Community Network Services’ Anti-Stigma Program in collaboration with Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA), County Commissioner  Marcia Gershenson, District 17 and the Northern and Southern Oakland County Branches of the NAACP.

Moderated by Oakland County Commissioner Helaine Zack, District 22 this informative group is comprised of people from the Asian, Arab American, Chaldean, Jewish, Hispanic and African-American communities who will speak to these issues from their own unique perspective.

Panelists will include mental health advocates Steven Katz, Antonio Davila and Gerald Butler.

Professional participants will include Dr. H. Sook Wilkinson, PhD, Chairperson of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Asian Pacific American Affairs.

Panelists will include Amy-Amal Rahhal, LLMSW, CAAC, Clinical Therapist at the Arab-American and Chaldean Council (ACC); Joseph E. Mojet, LMSW, ACSW, CAAC, SAP, President & Executive Director, JEC Community Service Concepts, Inc.; Dr. Sonia Acosta, PhD., President/CEO, Centro Multicultural La Familia; Maria Teresa Jaramillo, MA, LLP, Program Supervisor, Centro Latino.

The event will take place Monday, February 25, 2008, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Oakland Schools, 2111 Pontiac Rd, Waterford, MI, 48328

Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. At 6:00 p.m. there will be a special performance by Gerald Butler and the Visions of Recovery Band.

Registration is appreciated but not required. For registration and special accommodations, please call 248.745.4900 X 1058.

Community Network Services is a private, non-profit, human services agency that identifies, supports, and promotes opportunities for eligible persons in Oakland County with mental illness, including substance use. Services include assessment, case management, psychiatric, therapy and recovery services. CNS is funded by the OCCMHA. (www.cnsmi.org)