Empowering Communities through African American Mental Health Discussions
Deatria Davis' Journey in Mental Health
Deatria Davis has dedicated her career to mental health, working with clients for over two decades. She noticed a growing need within the BIPOC community for accessible mental health support. This led her to seek new ways to make a difference. By hosting a segment on African American mental health through "Make it Real," she hopes to plant the seed of awareness and encourage open conversations about mental health within these communities.Her work is not only about providing therapy but also about creating a safe space for people to share their experiences. As she said, "Being able to have a neutral person that you can go to and be vulnerable enough to share what you're feeling, what you're thinking, without any judgment – that helps mental health." This approach shows her commitment to truly understanding and helping her clients.
The Midpen Media Center: A Hub for Community Engagement
The Midpen Media Center is a local nonprofit that offers much more than just television shows. It provides public access television to residents in East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, Atherton, and Menlo Park. It also offers a wide range of media classes, including studio production, digital animation, and filmmaking. These classes give community members the opportunity to gain production skills in a friendly environment.After taking a course, community members can take on various roles, such as directing their own shows, volunteering to operate cameras for other local programs, or doing behind-the-scenes work. Asia Dubarenka, who has been involved with the studio for nearly a decade, emphasizes the importance of public access as a place to meet new people, network, and grow. However, after COVID, production slowed down as many volunteers moved away.
"Make it Real": A Platform for Community Discussions
"Make it Real" is a program created by Batya Bell de Berenfus to get more people involved with the Midpen Media Center. It allows community members to discuss critical issues while collaborating with staff and volunteers. So far, episodes on topics like climate change, homelessness, and Democracy have been hosted. Davis' show on African American mental health is the latest addition.Davis spoke with guests like Darell Smith, who shared the benefits of mental health outreach after his brother's suicide. This shows the real impact that these discussions can have. Davis herself was interested in using media and video production to reach a broader audience while discussing mental health. "Make it Real" gave her the opportunity to gain experience and fulfill her vision.
Public Access Requirements and the Future
Following public access requirements, the show must represent the community in some way. It can be a cultural piece, based on a local organization, or showcase local talent. This ensures that the program remains relevant and meaningful to the community.With recent organizational changes and the introduction of new staff, the media center is focused on engaging with more people and rebuilding what was lost. As Dubarenka said, "Hopefully with these changes, we can focus more on working with the community and rebuilding what we have lost." This shows the center's commitment to continuing its important work.