Mental Health First Aid – AHEC Scholars

The Chicago South AHEC incorporates a public health approach that emphasizes the importance of a workforce that understands the social determinants of health.  We aim to prepare individuals in health careers gain an increased understanding of health that elevates community member in their physical, mental, social, economic and spiritual well-being. Project Brotherhood began as a health clinic and community-outreach effort for black men on south side Chicago communities. Developed as a community-based prevention program for African American men to have a safe place to seek services, it opened its doors in the Woodlawn neighborhood in 1997 as part of the Cook County Health and Hospitals System. Our multidisciplinary team of medical staff and social workers developed a vision to address the causes of low participation and poor health by creating a safe, respectful place where African American men felt comfortable seeking health care and were served by black male health professionals. In persuading reluctant men to seek care, we have had success using unconventional methods, including spreading the word through the people black men trust, such as their barbers. The organization, which has served and improved the health of over 30,000 men, was honored with the James Wright Award by the National Association of Public Hospitals and recognized by the CDC as an outstanding program that can help reduce health inequities. It was featured in an installment of CNN’s 2009 documentary, “Black in America 2: Today’s Pioneers.”