Empower HAPA: Cultivating Mental Health Awareness

Hello, I'm Dr. Leila Jean-Baptiste, a pediatrician and psychiatrist dedicated to serving the Haitian community through the Haitian American Psychiatric Association (HAPA) for over 15 years. Our mission is to combat the lack of mental illness awareness and the stigma attached to it within the Haitian community. Education, teaching, and advocacy are essential to breaking down these barriers, and I'm reaching out to you to support our initiatives.

Why It's Important:

Mental health is a topic often shrouded in silence within the Haitian community. Stigma and misconceptions persist, hindering individuals from seeking help. Through HAPA, we aim to change this narrative by providing education and fostering open conversations about mental health.

How Funds Will Be Used:

As a 501(c)(3) organization, HAPA leads impactful initiatives, such as a weekly radio program on Radio Soleil, webinars, health fairs, and conferences. The dissemination of crucial mental health information reaches Haiti and Haitian communities. HAPA's commitment to mental health in Haiti goes beyond informational outreach, actively contributing to individuals' well-being by distributing psychiatric medications in collaboration with the main psychiatric hospital in Haiti.

HAPA has collaborated with the Child & Adolescent Fellowship of SUNY Downstate to educate doctors in training about advocacy. The program incorporates didactics, encompassing classroom lectures, experiential learning, and community engagement. This crucial initiative is designed to tackle the mental health needs of the community and offer tangible support to individuals undergoing psychiatric treatment.

Your support will directly contribute to expanding these initiatives, enabling us to reach more individuals and foster a supportive environment for mental health awareness within the Haitian community.

Join us in breaking the silence and fostering a culture of understanding and support for mental health. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the well-being of our community.

Donate today and be a part of the change!