Jessica Spigner recognized by SAMHSA and the APA as an expert participant

2015-03-31_Jessica Spigner feature photo

CHP graduate student Jessica Spigner was recognized by SAMHSA and the APA as an expert participant in their invite-only Conference on Behavioral Health Equity for Boys and Men of Color.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the American Psychological Association (APA) hosted this meeting, Pathways to Behavioral Health Equity: Addressing Disparities Experienced by Boys and Men of Color. This was an invite-only conference. The overarching purpose of this meeting was to identify ways to improve the behavioral health and life outcomes of boys and men of color.  The conference promoted dialogues around policy, practice, research, resource development, consumer education, and promotion and dissemination strategies.  The dialogue included mechanisms for consensus building and identification of approaches to create partnerships with community, public, and private sectors that can be sustained overtime.  Meeting participants included community advocates, practitioners, researchers, and policy makers to share ideas and directions about how to advance our work in the following areas:

  • Gender and Identity: Understanding Boys and Men of Color
  • Profiling, Perceptions, and Stereotypes: Its Impact on Behavior, Services, and Interventions
  • Health and Well-being: A Behavioral Health Focus
  • Changing Social Determinants: Opportunities for Advancements in Equity
  • Fatherhood and Fathering:  Perceptions in Contemporary Communities of Color

Jessica’s recognition as an expert participant is a great accomplishment for her and for our department. Congratulations, Jessica!