Addressing Mental Health With Innovation, Education

By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer Brother Be Well’s website shares valuable mental health information centered on boys and men of color. Founder and director Kristene Smith, inset. A locally based organization is reaching boys and men of color where they’re at, using a multimedia approach to addressing mental health and wellness. Mental Health California, a community nonprofit, spearheads its Brother Be Well program, a blend of awareness, innovation, education, and healing pathways designed to reduce disparities and disrupt prolonged suffering. Membership and access to online content is open to males 13 and older. Individuals, schools and community-based groups also can register. Brother Be Well also hosts a summer workshop program. Kristene Smith. OBSERVER File Photo The OBSERVER spoke to founder and director Kristene Smith about the campaign’s work and reach. Q: How have the Brother Be Well offerings made an impact? A: We have a large impact, at least we think we do. We are a multimedia mental health awareness platform. Mainly it’s rooted in our blog. We have videos, podcasts and articles that reside at Brotherbewell.com/blog. In about spring of 2020, we set out to create 60 articles, 60 videos and 60 podcasts just to get...