The Lay Mental Health Worker Project

The Lay Mental Health Worker Project intends to understand the mental health needs of the diverse Latino community of the East Bay and to discover innovative approaches to mental health services from this community's point of view. With initial support from The California Endowment, The Latina Center will recruits graduated Peer Leaders from The Latina Community Women's Health Leadership program (LCWHL) and Latinos from communities in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties to be trained as lay mental health workers.

These community-based advocates will conduct community outreach, facilitate self-help and peer support groups, and provide culturally and linguistically appropriate information about wellness, mental health and mental health services. The Project will support these lay mental health workers to work within county or city-based mental health services, as paid or volunteer staff at community-based agencies, or in partnership with The Latina Center.

The Lay Mental Health Worker Project includes the collaboration of The Latina Center staff and Board of Directors, LCWHL Peer Leaders, the City of Berkeley, Familias Unidas, Contra Costa County Division of Mental Health Services, UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare, Contra Costa County Maternal and Child Health Perinatal Services, and The Community College Foundation.