The Cambodian Association of America (CAA) has joined with The Center for Health Equity Research (CHER) in an exciting new partnership. Funded by the California Department of Public Health-Office of Health Equity’s California Reducing Disparities Project (CRDP), the CAA’s Cambodian Wellness Project (CWP) will use a community centered approach to bring mental health awareness and prevention to Cambodian communities throughout Long Beach and Santa Ana. In collaboration with five non-profit agencies (listed below-Cambodian Advocacy Collaborative), CHER will serve as the evaluation team for the CWP by tracking the progress and effectiveness of this much needed intervention. The CWP will utilize social, cultural, and religious practices that are of high importance to the Cambodian community, while implementing several key interventions. Community engagement and outreach will be coupled with educational workshops with a focus on the promotion of mental wellness. Referral services for mental health treatment will be provided by the program as well as peer and family support groups. Multiple program components will be implemented (such as spirituality wellness, physical activity, art, and dance therapy, to name a few) in an effort to reduce disparities associated with mental health issues by increasing awareness, educating the community, decreasing stigma and increasing access to linguistically and culturally appropriate services. We look forward to playing a vital role in this promising endeavor.
Cambodian Advocacy Collaborative agencies:Cambodian Association of AmericaFamilies in Good HealthKhmer Parent AssociationThe Cambodian FamilyUnited Cambodian Community