Mental Health Visionary, Author, Empowerment Speaker, Executive Producer, Former Professional Football Player, and Mental Health Therapist Jay Barnett, D.H.A. to Serve as 2024 Grand Marshal

WHAT: In 2021 the American Psychiatric Association developed and launched the Moore Equity in Mental Health Initiative, a collection of mental health awareness and educational activities named in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell, a staunch mental health advocate and award-winning author, who worked tirelessly to shed light on the mental health needs of communities of color. In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives announced July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. At APA, the celebration begins in June and continues throughout the summer.

WHO: This year, former professional football player and mental health therapist Jay Barnett, D.H.A., will serve as Grand Marshal of the MOORE Equity in Mental Health Initiative and join APA at MOORE events. APA CEO and Medical Director Marketa Wills, M.D., M.B.A, APA President Ramaswamy Viswanathan, M.D., and APA Chief, Diversity and Health Equity and Deputy Medical Director Regina James, M.D., are also available for interview.

WHEN & WHERE:

Among the events APA will host throughout the summer are:

• MOORE Equity in Mental Health Roundtable Conversation: Combating the Nationwide LGBTQI+ Youth Mental Health Crisis, Friday, June 14, 9-10:30 a.m. ET (streaming online and in-person at APA headquarters in Washington, D.C.)
• 2nd Annual MOORE Equity in Mental Health Youth Summit, in partnership with Washington, D.C.’s Marion Barry Youth Leadership Institute, Wednesday, July 24, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. ET (by invitation only, press registration required in advance)
  • A day of programming to empower and center the voices of young people of color in Washington, D.C., featuring speakers, workshops and resources from adolescent-psychiatry experts.
• 4th Annual MOORE Equity in Mental Health 5K: Run, Walk or Roll (Wheaton, Maryland, and remotely in your local community), Saturday, July 20, check-in begins at 7:00 a.m. with 5k at 8:00 a.m.
  • Funds raised benefit the APA and APA Foundation MOORE Equity in Mental Health Community Grants Program which supports community organizations that have undertaken innovative awareness programs or have provided services to improve the mental health of young people of color. Learn about applying or about the grantees.
• MOORE Equity in Mental Health Roundtable Conversation: How Religion, Spirituality and Mental Health Treatment Can Coexist to Foster Mental Wellness in Adolescents of Color, Saturday, Sept. 7, time to be announced (streaming online and in-person at The Faith Center in Sunrise, Florida)
  • This discussion will be led by psychiatrists and faith leaders, engaging adolescents and their families, in a conversation about how religion, spirituality and mental health treatment can contribute to fostering mental health and wellness.
• 3rd Annual MOORE Equity in Mental Health Community Fair: Saturday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET (Virginia Commonwealth University’s Mary and Frances Youth Center in Richmond, Virginia)
  • An event to provide Richmond area community members with mental health information and resources, connect individuals to mental health services and organizations, and foster a day of family fun with games, music, prizes and more.

Contact: Members of the press are welcome to cover all of these events. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 38,900 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org.