Anti-Racism in Behavioral Health

ARISE Committee

The Coalition’s Anti-racism, Racial Awareness, and Intersectionality through Sensitivity and Equity Committee works to address interpersonal, institutional, and systemic racism in the behavioral health system. The ARISE Committee formed in response to the mental health challenges that emerged after the white supremacist violence in Charlottesville in 2017, as well as following a training series on racial awareness and sensitivity led by Dr. Ken Hardy and hosted by the Counseling Alliance of Virginia and other Coalition partners.

Today, ARISE promotes cross-racial conversations and offers training and tools to help local behavioral health staff and organizations integrate anti-racist values and practices into their work. Over 300 area providers have participated in ARISE-sponsored trainings since the committee’s founding in 2019. 

For more information about the ARISE Committee and how to join this learning community of professionals and organizations, check out our Get Involved page or email aperez@albemarle.org.