AUSTIN, Texas – The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health is pleased to announce that it has awarded $100,000 for the Central Texas African American Healthy Minds grants. Ten organizations have been chosen for this special opportunity. The goal is to support mental health and wellness among African Americans in the Central Texas area.
The Healthy Minds project was launched in 2021 in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the Central Texas African American Family Support Conference (CTAAFSC)which took place in Austin in February 2020. CTAAFSC is an annual convening that explores health solutions, fosters relationships, and works to reduce stigma and increase access to care for the African American community. The 2023 Healthy Minds grantees were announced today this year’s conference, taking place on February 7-8.
“While African Americans develop mental health conditions at about the same rate as white Americans, they’re much less likely to seek support and care for a variety of reasons,” says Dr. Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., executive director of the Hogg Foundation. ”By investing in organizations that support mental health and wellness among African Americans in the Central Texas area, we hope to be part of the solution in addressing this inequity.”
The 2023 Healthy Minds grantees are:
- African American Youth Harvest Foundation. To educate and equip youth/families regarding mental health, build resilience, and teach skills for processing stressors positively using an optimistic life lens. Goals include alleviating stress, supporting youth/family needs, and attaining education. Practice-based materials, life experiences, and trauma informed care will be used during mental health support services, trainings, workshops, counseling, and support groups.
- Austin Area Urban League. To increase stabilization and address trauma for at least 16 Black, unhoused individuals as they transition into housing. Access to mental health services with Black therapists addressing trauma caused by racism and chronic homelessness will be provided.
- Black Mamas Community Collective. To provide women access to free, culturally congruent mental health care during the perinatal period. Eligibility extends to women who express mental health concerns or an interest in therapy to the doulas who support them, during their pregnancy through one year postpartum.
- Black Men’s Health Clinic. To connect men of color in the Eastern Crescent through formal and informal relationships to improve their access to healthcare. Programming will provide both traditional and non-traditional behavioral health interventions at no cost to the participants.
- The Man in Me. To provide tangible support, education, and engagement to Black fathers and father figures residing within Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, and Hays County. Programming will foster healthy marriage and co-parenting relationships, parenting skills, mental health and wellness, social and emotional involvement, personal transformation, and community connectedness.
- Moore 4 Sisters Ministries. To inspire, educate, and empower African American clergy, church leaders, and women in leadership roles to achieve optimum health in every aspect of their lives. The project encompasses education and awareness, intervention, establishing a strong social media presence, virtual outreach through their website, a women’s retreat, holistic services, and networking opportunities.
- No More No Más, Inc. To provide Black Central Texans access to education, training, and individual and group counseling, and equip them with social and emotional tools to cultivate their mental health and well-being.
- Saffron Trust Women’s Foundation. To support women regarding trauma, mental health, and nutrition through educational seminars and referrals to therapists, life coaches, and nutritional experts at no cost.
- Texas State University. To offer Black students and students of color at Texas State University tools to survive and thrive on campus. Students will have access to group therapy, yoga sessions, nutrition, and art therapy events to help combat daily discrimination and bring psychological peace and mental wellness.
- 3-T Community Outreach. To support African American boys ages 8-14 residing in Bastrop County with life skills development while specifically addressing the transition into young adulthood, a time of testing, learning, and growth.
“We’re proud to build on the important work of the Central Texas African American Family Support Conference by supporting these impactful organizations,” says Vicky Coffee, director of programs for the Hogg Foundation. “Their work is vital to bridging the gap between the mental health provider community and African American consumers, youth, and families in need of care, resources, and support.”