EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care is committed to serving the needs of our diverse population and knows that a one-size-fits-all approach will not address health disparities.
Our Neighborhood Care sites provide local, community-based services at 15 sites in high-need neighborhoods across New York City. We take a neighborhood-by-neighborhood approach to addressing health and well-being by providing connections to resources for food, transportation, and housing and offering wellness classes and education. Members and non-members can visit Neighborhood Care and take advantage of programs, resources, and face-to-face support. “Our Neighborhood Care team members address the social barriers that keep people out of the healthcare system, address disparities in care, and provide wellness services. The model is unique, and the focus is personal,” said Karen Ignagni, EmblemHealth CEO.
According to the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health, in a given year, one in five New Yorkers experience mental illness, and hundreds of thousands of these New Yorkers are not connected to care. Black, Latinx and Asian American New Yorkers are less likely than white New Yorkers to be connected to mental health care.
To meet the mental health needs of the Crown Heights community, we recently launched a new Serenity and Soul Well-Being Program, made possible through grant funding from Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.
This program is tailored to the Crown Heights community and staffed by a social worker and care navigators from the surrounding area. It provides free public classes and events, personal and family wellness sessions, and private one-on-one support to help residents navigate their mental health challenges. The program has also provided the opportunity to engage deeper with community members needing additional help and support.
“Coming to Neighborhood Care helps my mental health,” said community member Ana O’Brien. “Here, lots of us are around the same age group and experiencing the same thing. Having that mental support, you don’t feel so alone, especially after years of COVID.”
“The thing that I keep hearing from community members is that this is a home for them. I would say that this is a safe space for many people who may not have that anywhere else. And I think that's one of the reasons Neighborhood Care is so important,” said Edwidge Michel, Social Worker at EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care.
“It’s essential that we continue to reduce the stigma associated with seeking and receiving mental health care. I’m proud to support EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care in reducing this stigma and bringing the people of central Brooklyn the high-quality, mental health resources they deserve”, said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.
As part of the Serenity and Soul Well-Being Program, Neighborhood Care Crown Heights is hosting a Mental Health Resource Fair on Friday, May 31, to break the stigma around mental health and connect community members with resources and organizations offering mental health services.
This event will be an interactive day of informative presentations, engaging workshops, and meaningful discussions on mental well-being. Free tai chi and meditation classes will be provided, along with wellness giveaways and resources from community partners. More information on the event can be found here.