Who’s already got the Christmas albums on repeat with Boyz II Men’s harmonies and Mariah’s whistle tones playing in the back? ✋🏾
🎁 ‘Tis the season to reflect on what truly matters and appreciate all the love, joy, and blessings in our lives. Research shows that practicing gratitude can lead to improved mental health, increased happiness, and stronger relationships with family and friends.
It’s easy to get caught up in all that’s going wrong, but balancing those moments with appreciation enriches our lives and fosters deeper connections with those around us.
This holiday season, we invite you to be part of our Home for the Holidays campaign. By sharing our Right Response directory on your socials, you help create safe, supportive environments for yourself and your loved ones. Your support is vital to building a community where we can all thrive.
🗣️ We’re also thrilled to announce the release of a new song by our incredible 1M4 Sista and Board member Laurie Walker Hall! Growth Spurts is a powerful music video that showcases the impact of effective crisis response while celebrating the hope and resilience in our community.
As we celebrate this season of giving, let’s continue to uplift each other and donate by December 31st to support our goal to reach $5000 by the end of the year.
“Where there is a woman, there is magic.”
— Nitozake Shange
Sista Notice: We’d love to host more in-person Sista CheckIns across other cities in the new year, but we need your leadership to make it happen. If you’re interested in hosting, reply to this email, and let’s plan to bring the checkins to your city!
Case Update: Jamarion Robinson
Join us in supporting Jamarion Robinson’s family in court TOMORROW Monday, 12/16, at 9 AM in Atlanta, GA. Let’s stand together for justice—show up and show your support! If you cannot attend in person, use the link below to listen in to oral arguments live.
Your Expertise is Needed!
We’re completely revamping The Right Response Directory and need your input to ensure it meets our community’s needs.
This critical resource connects you to alternative first-response programs offering compassionate support through peer responders, clinicians, and trained EMTs for calls like welfare checks, noise complaints, traffic incidents, and mental health crises.
Your feedback is vital for us to improve. Please take a few minutes to complete our confidential survey. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Articles of the Week
There’s a growing need for non-law enforcement crisis responses—like those offered through our Right Response directory—urging a shift from embedded co-response models to mobile crisis teams and 988 diversion for more effective mental health interventions.
Read “The Misunderstanding of the Crisis Intervention Team Program” to learn more.
And it is not lost on us that a person was acquitted this week for murdering Jordan Neely…
We hope he knew he was loved by thousands of people who never met him but who are committed to decriminalizing mental illness.
Jordan deserved better.
We are so sorry to his family and loved ones.
Listen to our Founder share her initial thoughts about his murder in May 2023
Read Fountain House’s statement about his murderers acquittal
A Mental Health Tip For You!
Let’s make this holiday season extra special by adding a gratitude twist! How about creating a “Gratitude Jar?” Each day or week, jot down and add one thing you’re grateful for—whether it’s a loved one’s support, your favorite song, or simply the warmth of the season.
When stress or anxiety starts to creep in, pull out a note to remind yourself of both the joyful and grateful moments that make the season bright. You could even get your kids and the rest of the family involved by having everyone create and decorate their own jars to fill with their special moments and things they’re thankful for. It’s a heartwarming way to bring a little holiday magic to your self-care routine and practice gratitude together!
Spread Some Blessings!
The consequences of police violence extend far beyond the loss of life. For families affected, it’s the loss of income, the sacrifice of basic necessities, and the start of a high-cost legal fight. If you have the capacity, consider donating to 1M4. Proceeds help support impacted families and sustain the work of 1M4 toward ending police violence for good.
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Won’t he do it?! Even through all the trials and tests, we’re still here fighting and thriving. Let’s keep the spirit of gratitude alive by regularly reflecting on the things we appreciate, no matter how small. Practicing gratitude not only enhances our well-being but also fosters a positive environment for those around us. At 1M4, we’re thankful for our Home for the Holidays campaign and hope that you’ll check out our campaign toolkit, which includes ready-to-share graphics and captions for your socials. Spread the word within your circle, especially to those Sistas who may need extra support right now. Together, we can create a community filled with love and connection! ❤️ |
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December 16: Jamarion Robinson’s Court Case
Join us in supporting Jamarion Robinson’s family at court TOMORROW Monday, 12/16, at 9 AM in Atlanta, GA. Let’s stand together for justice—show up and show your support! If you cannot attend in person, click the graphic below to listen in to oral arguments live.
December 19: Virtual Panel on Mental Health Policy
MindSite News is hosting The Return of Trump: What Does it Mean for Mental Health Policy and Advocacy? on Thursday, December 19th—a live virtual panel at 12 PM PDT / 3 PM EDT. Explore the potential impacts of a Trump presidency on mental health policy and advocacy with experts and advocates.
By December 31: End-of-Year Giving
As the year comes to a close, please consider making a contribution to support our work and help us reach our $5,000 goal. Together, we can fuel the change we need for non-police interventions and resources for the year ahead.
February 8: Confronting the Stigma Mental Health Fair
1M4 is partnering to host a mental health event focused on resources for Black and Brown men at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture on February 8th! We’ll have a table onsite sharing information about The Right Response and engaging with local community members about their experiences with alternative response models. Join us there—we’d love to meet you in person!
You Got Your 1M4 Merch Yet?
Visit the 1M4 merch store to make sure you’re representing at court support, protests, or in line at your favorite coffee spot. We want to see YOU in your 1M4 gear. Every purchase goes directly to funding the work of 1M4 increasing access to safety and wellness.
The Mental Health Literacy Collaborative (MHLC) has officially launched its MHL Aware Certification Training.
Mental Health Literacy (MHL) Aware is a 60-minute training (with an optional certification) that benefits professional, personal, and community needs for knowledge, language, and confidence around the topic of mental health. This training is the first step in guiding people to successfully integrate MHL into the fabric of their community. The Aware training focuses on educating individuals about 1) What MHL is, 2) Why it is beneficial, and 3) How they can bring this information to their community. In addition to these core focus areas, the training provides basic, real-world application strategies. The cost is $30 per person for live trainings and $25 for the asynchronous course. Group rates are also available by contacting info@themhlc.org.
