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Press Releases

Wednesday, October 02, 2024

The state of our minds: addressing stigma & advocating for health equity in PA

Camp Hill, Pa. (October 2, 2024) — Join the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg and Highmark Blue Shield for an impactful panel discussion of the current state of mental health issues in Pennsylvania in honor of World Mental Health Day 2024.

The event will take place on Thursday, October 3rd, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Highmark Blue Shield, 1800 Center Street Camp Hill, PA 17089. Attendees can participate virtually via the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg Facebook Live. A link will be provided upon registration.

This discussion will delve into the current state of mental health within Pennsylvania, exploring the unique challenges faced by youth, senior, immigrant and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. Experts will discuss the disparities in mental health services and explore solutions to promote equity, along with self-care practices to prioritize one’s mental well-being.

The esteemed panel of experts includes Dr. Shaun Cook, Millersville University; Ruth S. Moore, Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute; Dr. Rafat Omar, UPMC; and Dr. Samantha Butts, Penn State College of Medicine, moderated by Joyce Davis, World Affairs Council of Harrisburg, PennLive and The Patriot-News.

Following the panel discussion, there will be a 10-minute Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage directly with the experts and gain valuable insights.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. To register for the in-person event, please visit https://wacharrisburg.ticketleap.com/mental-health-equity-in-pa/

About the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg
The World Affairs Council of Harrisburg is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting global education and cultural exchange in our region. As an affiliate of the World Affairs Councils of America, headquartered in Washington, D.C., they leverage a national network of like-minded organizations to enhance their impact. Their mission is to engage residents in our region with global issues, fostering a more informed and interconnected world. Through programs and events, they provide opportunities for associates to interact with influential international writers, intellectuals, diplomats, and political leaders. They also prioritize nurturing the next generation of global citizens, equipping youth with the tools and knowledge needed to become leaders in our increasingly interconnected world.

About Highmark Blue Shield
Highmark Inc., doing business as Highmark Blue Shield, protects Pennsylvania individuals and families with a range of high-quality, affordable and reliable health insurance solutions. As the only Blue Shield licensee in Pennsylvania, Highmark Blue Shield has a long and successful history of delivering remarkable experiences in Southeastern Pennsylvania through the Federal Employee Program. Highmark Blue Shield earned a Brand Excellence Award from the national Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, in recognition of its efforts in building brand strength and providing superior customer service, solid financial performance and enrollment growth. Highmark is also annually recognized as a "Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality" from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion" through the Disability Equality Index® a leading national benchmark established jointly by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN. Highmark Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.

For more information, contact

Leilyn Perri
Highmark Health
717-215-7835
leilyn.perri@highmarkhealth.org