“The mental health system is not working because it has been chasing the wrong goal: to treat illness, rather than to enable people to do nurturing things together. A focus on community nurturing and caring changes everything.” — Gary Belkin
Mental health is often seen as something deeply individual and isolating. But in reality, it is shaped every day by the world around us—where we live, whether we have safe housing, reliable access to healthy food, and the resources we need for overall well-being. These factors are not just background details; they are at the heart of what helps us experience more good days, together.
As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, we’re invited to look beyond ourselves and consider the bigger picture. Our mental health is profoundly influenced by our environments and by the systems we build as a community. More good days don’t happen in isolation—they grow from the environments we create and the care we show each other.
In this issue, we explore how mental health is shaped by the places we call home, the resources we can count on, and the support we find in our communities—because well-being isn’t something we carry alone, it’s something we build together, all year round.
Changemaker Spotlight: A Conversation with Claude King
This month, we’re featuring a conversation with Claude King, a licensed clinical professional counselor, who shares valuable insights on supporting Black men’s mental well-being. Claude highlights the significant stigma men often face when it comes to seeking help for mental health—especially in Black communities, where cultural expectations around strength and self-reliance can make reaching out even more difficult.
Check out the latest WE RISE and WIN Together Digest for resources, funding opportunities, and events happening close to you!
Published by WE RISE & WIN Together DIGEST
