Equity & Engagement
Empowering Communities for Mental Wellness
Communities of color face unique challenges in accessing mental health care, including stigma, limited resources, and a lack of culturally specific support.
Mental wellness is possible when care is informed by lived experiences, cultural strengths, and the voices of those we serve.
That’s why Lines for Life develops and advocates for culturally specific and affirming mental health care through:
- Training
- Research
- Referrals
- Capacity development
- Collaboration
We’re always exploring how the ways people live, work, and grow impact their health and wellbeing.
We use what we’re learning to create more effective and equitable mental health treatment and support options to meet the needs of diverse communities.
We’re creating a future where mental wellness is accessible to all.
Our programs are guided by the leadership, insights, and lived experiences of communities of color. Together, we’re meeting the unique needs of underserved populations by reducing stigma, identifying mental health needs, increasing access to support, and intervening in crisis.
Read More
- Mental Health Out Loud “Utilizing the Healing in Our Own Community”
- Hispanic Heritage: Strengthening My Community and Learning About Mental Health
- Mental Health & Suicide Prevention in Native American & Tribal Communities
- Weaving Mental Health into Black Culture
- Creating a Diversified Mental Health Workforce
- What keeps you from reaching out?
Meet the Equity Team
Darryl P. Turpin, MPA, CADC
Consultant and Advisor for Curriculum and Engagement
Darryl brings 30 years of expertise in clinical services, equity, and community engagement to our organization. Darryl works to ensure that Lines for Life works through an equitable and culturally responsive lens so that all communities of color can have access to mental health resources that are relatable and accessible.
Mike “Bretto” Jackson
Community Advocate / Community Health Worker
Mike “Bretto” Jackson works for POIC in the Community Healing Initiative/Elevate program where he mentors African American gang-impacted and formerly incarcerated young adults through culture, wellness, career-oriented employment, and introspection of self. He is also the co-director of Leaders Become Legends, an organization dedicated to providing mentorship through employment that helps create leaders in the community, most recently in the clean energy field. As a Lines for Life Cultural Advocate, Bretto hopes to help foster a better future through inspiring young adults to help others through a trauma-informed model of care.
Kennedy Luddington
Cultural Engagement Coordinator
As a project coordinator for internal equity initiatives and projects with external partners, Kennedy assists with alignment and organization across all equity-focused programs.
Martin Lockett, MS, CADC II
Director of Cultural Engagement
Contact Martin at [email protected]
Gabriel Lavaly
Cultural Engagement Coordinator
As cultural engagement coordinator, Gabe builds connections with various community partners to ensure that all communities receive mental health resources. Using strategic engagement strategies, Gabe works to empower community members with tools to uplift their communities through sustainable means.
Our Commitment to Equity
Lines for Life is unwavering in our commitment to advancing mental health equity. We advocate that mental health looks different in communities of color and we work closely with our partners, local organizations, community leaders, and more to improve mental health in Oregon’s communities of color.