IMCES has, since its inception in 1989, played a leading role in promoting mental health and wellness, addressing disparities in access to health and mental health services, and reducing stigma and discrimination. IMCES has provided access to health and behavioral health services to over thousands of individuals annually from culturally and linguistically diverse underserved low-income populations in Los Angeles.
We take our commitment to human rights and social justice seriously and take it into action on a day-to-day basis. Under the leadership of Dr. Pir, who conducts a weekly Diversity Training, our staff including Doctoral Interns and Postdoctoral Residents are engaged in a model of training that requires the adoption and demonstration of a “Growth Mind-Set,” with the emphasis on leadership development and advocacy.
IMCES staff, Interns, and Residents have “taken the pledge” to raise awareness about mental health by signing and posting green ribbons in our office. They have also participated in wearing green ribbons to spark conversations about mental health and stigma associated with mental illness.
This year, our Doctoral Interns also demonstrated their commitment by coordinating and arranging our Open House event that included diverse presentations such as showing the documentary film “A New State of Mind: Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness,” narrated by actress Glenn Close, and IMCES clients sharing their success stories. The event was attended by community leaders including educators, local business people, and representatives of local financial institution. Our outreach and awareness-raising activities included communication with County, State, and Federal officials.
Our Open House event included a number of powerful presentations by IMCES Doctoral Interns related to mental health and stigma. The list of presentations, with the aim of raising awareness in our community is listed below for public education purposes:
Program
Designed through the Leadership of IMCES Doctoral Interns
Presentations
Sirvart Mesrobian “Removed” https://youtu.be/lOeQUwdAjE0
Joseph Marquez Stigma and DV https://youtu.be/LlFAd4YdQks
Justin Underwood Depression Awareness
Daniel Nunez Addiction and Stigma https://youtu.be/S86t89HOYlE
Irina Abramians Self-Awareness https://youtu.be/pfw2Qf1VfJo
Jessica Lara Mental Health and Teens https://youtu.be/u-4yeN8oXVk
Armen Yekyazarian “Advocacy to End Stigma” https://youtu.be/fPJgkSkUN7g
Khashayar F. Langroudi Int’l Day Against Homophobia https://youtu.be/t2gbcVaZ448
F. Mihai Fodoreanu President Obama https://youtu.be/4PssaoGx9aE
Menatalla Ads Defining Mental Health https://youtu.be/_y97VF5UJcc
Araksya Arutyunyan BPD https://youtu.be/rZdjbLFPr5k