In minority populations, mental health stigma is a concern because minority populations are less likely to receive mental health services compared to non-Hispanic white populations. A strategy to overcome mental health stigma is to first admit if you have these perceptions. If you are not ready to reach out to professional resources, you should enhance your protective coping mechanisms. Protective coping mechanisms improve your well-being and help offset the build-up of daily stressors. Examples of protective coping mechanisms are engaging in exercise, getting outside, eating nutritious foods, sleeping for 7-9 hours a day, and having close relationships.

Examples of physical activity can be going on daily walks. Walking for as little as ten minutes a day can have a positive impact on a person’s mood and mindset. Daily stretches are a simple way to improve blood flow, flexibility, and provide mental clarity if a person is struggling with anxiety. The simplest way to practice healthy eating is to prioritize protein and vegetables. The more colorful your plate, the better for your mind and body and drinking enough water throughout the day. A hydrated body helps our minds feel clearer, and flush out toxins we take in throughout the day.

If you are struggling with your mental health, here is a list of free resources to begin speaking with a professional:

Mental Health Lifeline: 988
Betterhelp: Betterhelp.com
Faithful Counseling: Faithfulcounseling.com

July 24th is International Self-Care Day! The best way to make time for self-care is to make small changes to your daily, or weekly routine. Taking ten minutes a day to go outside for a walk with a co-worker, friend, or family member is a great start. Cooking a meal with a new ingredient is also a fun activity to boost creativity and expand your horizons. Remember, self-care should be easy, fun, and restorative! Start small, making simple changes, and enjoy the process.

If you are familiar with our work at Healthy Savannah, you know our big emphasis on nutrition. "How often do you consume fruits and vegetables?" is one of our nutrition questions in our survey. In 2019, 40% of respondents indicated they ate a fruit everyday while in 2022 the same question yielded a total of 57% of respondents. However, from 2019 to 2022 vegetable intake did not increase, it remained steady between 46%-48% of respondents consuming vegetables everyday.
The Fresh Express program is a partnership effort with the YMCA of Coastal Georgia that seeks to break this barrier for low income African American communities that cannot afford or easily access fresh produce. It is a monthly no-cost food distribution program done the first and the third Fridays of each month. This program 
To learn more about Fresh Express tap the link below.
Fresh Express

By: Quierra Winter Rodriguez, MSN-Ed, RN, CRCR

Dr. Curtis V. Cooper was a trailblazer for health equity and improved access to care in Savannah, Georgia. He was born in 1932 right here in the Low Country. After graduating from Savannah State College and working as a biologist with the Department of Agriculture in Savannah for a time, Dr. Cooper witnessed firsthand how little access to health care west side Savannah residents had. Many of these residents were poor, and the better health care resources were often placed in the more affluent south side of Savannah. Dr. Cooper and a few friends successfully secured funds for a new health center with the mission of serving Savannah’s less fortunate in 1972. They called it the Westside Urban Health Center. Eventually, it became the Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care Center we know it as today.
According to Healthy People 2030, about 1 in 10 people in the United States don’t have health insurance, and many others do not have primary care providers. Which reflects a lack of preventative health emphasis. The Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care Center helps address both these problems as they serve anyone regardless of age, income, insurance, place of residence, or ability to pay. 

Dr. Cooper  was one of the first Black members of Memorial Medical Center’s board of directors and was eventually elected as chairman in 1995. He served as chairman of the Chatham County Hospital authority twice, was a member of the Georgia State Access to Health Care Commission, and also served on the Georgia State Health Strategies Council. Sadly, Dr. Cooper passed on in January 2000, but his legacy lives on through the Center and his unyielding work in Savannah’s healthcare.
 

Sources:
Heroes in Black History: Dr. Curtis V. Cooper
Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care Mission Statement
Healthy People 2030: Healthcare Access and Quality