The Community Health Improvement Network (CHIN) recently held its annual Lunch and Learn at Northpark Church in Meridian, Mississippi, focusing on mental health. This session emphasized how to effectively respond to mental health emergencies and introduced attendees to the Crisis Intervention Team, known as the Memphis Model, which aims to improve law enforcement’s approach to mental health situations.
Beverly Knox, a representative from CHIN, highlighted the growing importance of understanding mental health in recent years. She stressed the need for community members to know whom to contact in crises, whether related to substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, or domestic violence. Knox stated, “If you have anyone dealing with a crisis, we want people to know what actions to take and who to call.”
Wynter Ward from Weems Community Mental Health Center also spoke at the event, emphasizing the availability of local resources tailored to individual needs. She explained, “Crises are relative to a person’s ability to cope with stress. Our goal today is to ensure the public knows we are a valuable resource and available for them.”
The session included information about local support systems and highlighted the necessity of having accessible mental health resources. Ward noted that events like these are vital for spreading awareness about the services available to individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
The next Lunch and Learn is scheduled for May, where the community can continue to engage with mental health topics and resources.
Spanish 
English 
French 
German 
Russian 
Belarusian 
Ukrainian