AZ Blue Foundation State of Mind: 2024 Mental Health Summit Recap
What an inspiring day it was!
The AZ Blue Foundation proudly sponsored State of Mind, an inaugural mental health summit. We gathered some of the best and brightest minds in one room to discuss all things mental health – and ways to drive solutions for this major health concern in our state. On the agenda? Important insights from key leaders, conversations on reducing stigma, and making a difference together!
“Mental health remains a pressing topic in our state,” said Dr. Christine Bracamonte Wiggs, President and Board Chair of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Foundation for Community & Health Advancement. “It was inspiring to see so many community leaders discuss challenges and successes, share ideas, and work together to improve mental health in Arizona."
The summit was full of highlights and big moments, including:
- Keynote remarks from Dr. Richard Carmona, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States. He addressed the visible and invisible determinants of mental health.
- Solutions-focused breakout sessions addressing behavioral health of moms, youth, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and more.
- The Courage in Action Awards presentation. AZ Blue awarded one individual and one organization $2,500 for advancing positive mental health in Arizona.
Courage in Action Awards
Individual category winner: Jaden Sanchez, Peer Leader Coordinator, Peer Solutions. At just 12 years old, Jaden joined Peer Solutions and started a chapter in his middle school and has been a force for mental well-being ever since.
What is Peer Solutions?
“Peer Solutions is a youth-led nonprofit organization that is in 16 sites across Arizona; we are in middle and high schools,” a now 16-year-old Sanchez said. “We establish clubs there through the fall, and we elect a peer leader at that school. Their responsibility is to run meetings, be a leader, and have discussions about mental health to empower our youth, we give them the tools to do that.”
Why their mission matters
Nearly half of Arizona teenagers are experiencing poor mental health.
What will the $2,500 go toward?
“The award money will go to Peer Solutions to help Arizona youth and their mental health in our schools and also to our peer leaders who are doing the work in those schools.”
To learn more about Peer Solutions, visit: Peer Solutions – Non-Profit.
Organization category winner: Postpartum Support International – Arizona Chapter
What is Postpartum Support International (PSI) – Arizona Chapter?
“PSI is dedicated to awareness, prevention, and treatment of mental health conditions related to childbearing,” Elizabeth Wood, Board Chairperson of PSI AZ Chapter, said. “One of the things we do best is provide so many free resources and use peer support. The importance of peer support is that the number one preventive factor for perinatal mood disorders is social support. Here in Arizona, we also have been on a mission to transform our perinatal mental healthcare desert into a thriving oasis of equitable, informed, and accessible care.”
Why their mission matters
The leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in Arizona is mental health conditions.
What will the $2,500 go toward?
“We will be directing these funds toward additional training and scholarships to continue to grow our perinatal mental health workforce to support Arizona families.”
To learn more about PSI Arizona, visit: Postpartum Depression and Other Mood Disorders - PSI Arizona Chapter.
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