Event Date: May 18, 2024
Location: Sacramento, CA
Decarcerate Sacramento, Social Justice Politicorps, and Mental Health First Sacramento convened a crucial mental health equity summit in Sacramento as part of a statewide series of community conversations. This event uniquely addressed California’s mental health and housing crises through a carceral lens, prioritizing culturally and linguistically tailored information for providers of color and individuals impacted by the justice system. Expert-led presentations and a resource fair, in collaboration with Disability Rights California and CPEHN, informed Sacramento County community leaders about recent mental health policies such as CARE Court, SB 43, and Proposition 1. These sessions underscored the historical context and equity implications of these policies, emphasizing racial justice and disability rights perspectives.
The summit also fostered advocacy skills and forged a collective advocacy agenda among participants. Interactive discussions delved into community members’ lived experiences, perspectives, and priorities concerning mental health policy and advocacy. These exchanges not only equipped attendees with effective advocacy strategies but also shaped future policy directions aimed at safeguarding essential community services amid legislative changes. By leveraging these collaborative efforts, the initiative successfully engaged diverse communities, empowered them with knowledge and advocacy tools to promote culturally responsive services and equitable access, and documented their insights to bolster ongoing advocacy efforts throughout Sacramento.