Meredith Koob’s Post

Partners in Health in this time of giving --- Your Early Access Gift has 3X the impact! Your gift TRIPLE MATCHED early! (pih.org) Partners in Health, founded by Paul Farmer, Ophelia Dahl, Jim Yong Kim, Tom McCormack and Tom White. Their mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. By establishing long-term relationships with sister organizations based in settings of poverty, Partners In Health strives to achieve two overarching goals: to bring the benefits of modern medical science to those most in need of them and to serve as an antidote to despair. We draw on the resources of the world’s leading medical and academic institutions and on the lived experience of the world’s poorest and sickest communities. At its root, our mission is both medical and moral. It is based on solidarity, rather than charity alone. When our patients are ill and have no access to care, our team of health professionals, scholars, and activists will do whatever it takes to make them well—just as we would do if a member of our own families or we ourselves were ill. Mission | Partners In Health (pih.org)

Morning reflections and sitting with the impact and influence of how we all get behind messages that matter for all of us and in doing so, create system shifts that have real movement. Language plays a pivotal role in shaping our perceptions and actions, especially within the context of social justice, trauma-informed, and healing-informed approaches. It is imperative to redistribute funds equitably to address the diverse public health needs of our communities. While law enforcement is one avenue, it cannot singularly shoulder the responsibility for fulfilling all essential objectives necessary for a community well-being. Intentionally Investing in various branches of community care is essential to prevent overwhelming systems that leave us morally bankrupt, hopeless, and in grave desperation. Without adequate investment, there is a risk of bottlenecking access to critical life-saving social services, programs, and mental health care. Collaboratively, we possess the capacity to address many of our societal challenges. Deliberate and equitable investment across resources mitigates the strain and stress associated with relying solely on one method to foster a healthy society. While movements wield significant influence, they must also adapt and grow. The term "defund" often triggers polarization, negativity, fear, and conflict often inadvertently. Let us focus on a shared commitment: funding public health care and justice equitably to foster a society that prioritizes the well-being and relational health of all its members. Fund public health, community well-being, protection, safety, social services, education and training, housing, food, mental and physical health, community resources and innovation. We can end the violence in our communities with a strong web of care that intuitively networks collaboration amongst all our helpers, healers, and leaders. This image below is a great reminder of what gets misunderstood, misrepresented, and misguided when people don't fully understand what a message really means and how it impacts everyone. We need a robust public health and safety system for all. #MentalHealthIsPublicHealth #InvestInWellCommunities #FundPublicHealthCare #WeAreTheMedicine

Social isolation is an important topic. Join the conversation! This is a free webinar on April 16th from 8:30am - 10am. Let's empower older adults and ourselves to combat social isolation.

Save the Date & Call for Proposals! The National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.), in partnership with the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, is proud to co-sponsor the Annual Conference "Reclaiming Our Power" happening on October 16-17, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois. This in-person event will unite over 300 peers, advocates, policymakers, family members, youth, clinicians, and stakeholders from across the nation to reclaim our power and amplify our collective voice. At this conference, we'll delve into the power of reclaiming our narratives, our agency, and our futures. Together, we'll explore how peer support empowers us to overcome obstacles, advocate for change, and create a more inclusive and equitable world. This year's theme, "Reclaiming Our Power" celebrates the strength and resilience within each of us and the transformative impact of peer support. As we come together, we'll honor our shared experiences, uplift each other's voices, and chart a course toward a brighter future. Registration is forthcoming. 📢 Call for Proposals 📢 We invite you to join us in reclaiming our power and shaping the future of mental health systems and advocacy by submitting a workshop proposal. We are particularly interested in presentations highlighting alternatives to existing systems. Learn more and submit a proposal here: https://lnkd.in/eEEVAzcj #reclaimingourpower #napsconference #allianceforrightsandrecovery #peersupport #peersupporter #harmreduction

Blue Shield of California Foundation is learning about the power and potential for multisector collaboration to advance health equity and prevent domestic violence. Explore some of their insights through this paper by SPR and Eternal Knot Evaluation. https://lnkd.in/gaHJR8zE

Read below to learn more about one of our two great keynote speakers for this year's Credit Building Symposium in June!

Housing is Health Care. ✅ Being forced to sleep outside - because you have nowhere else to go - is harmful to your health. ✅ When communities fail to provide housing or shelter to all residents, they are hurting the health of their unhoused residents. ✅ When communities penalize people for being forced to sleep outside, they are punishing them for having no other choice. This is what's at issue in the SCOTUS #HomelessCrueltyCase Join me and other health justice advocates to discuss what's on the horizon for 2024, including how Johnson v. Grants Pass affects #healthjustice.

Why are physicians happy with the status quo? According to recent research in JAMA, relative to non-physicians, US physicians are less likely to vote, attend public meetings, volunteer, or otherwise be politically engaged. Per the authors: "Physicians could play a greater role in influencing health-related public policy given their expertise and socioeconomic opportunities". This leaves a vacuum that allows for stigma and misunderstanding about healthcare - particularly for those who are homeless or have mental illness and drug addiction challenges. ⬇️Listen below to hear the full clip: https://lnkd.in/gAbaUeCu 🎧Full podcast: https://lnkd.in/g6vYQgAg 📑Reference: https://lnkd.in/gtB8x5VF

In 2023, legislators passed the Healthy Beginnings, Healthy Families act to reduce barriers that may prevent families from being connected to supports and services, including participation in the Follow Along Program, https://lnkd.in/gV23exQn. As a result, the Minnesota Department of Health is seeking to partner with families and caregivers, community members, and Tribal nations that support young children to provide feedback and help improve the Follow Along Program. If you are interested in joining, please complete this survey by August 31st https://lnkd.in/gkCUpE2m

Thanking Bloomberg philanthropy for narrowing the most complex health issues. A driving force now as Summer Season upon US, our youth concern deter away from addiction. It's our major health issue with unaddressed mental illness actually difficult to deter between the 2? Addiction masking for mental illness or addiction itself a form of insanity. It does nothing hence only to take everything in its path. Alcohol the accepted 'norm' has been long overlooked. To thus graduate to other forms of self medicating to seeking joy. The turning of this to alleviate as turn on most knowing or unknowing. Now to pills as medicating some used, intented to relieve physical pain such Opedid as Fentanyl etc. These Fellowship initiatives toward to holistic approach in helping communities and family dynamics. Reach out to get help you're not alone! Best thing one can do, first step is acknowledging one needs help and recognizing one has a problem.