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A Celebration of Refugee Mental Health Advocacy During Mental Health Awareness Month
During the month of May—Mental health Awareness Month—NSDI invites the public to helps us celebrate our strong history of refugee mental health advocacy at both local and state levels, listed below:
News Articles
Nile Sisters Focuses on Refugee and Ethnic Mental Health Throughout May»
Month-Long Advocacy for Refugee Mental Health»
NSDI Leads State-Sponsored Refugee Mental Health Session»
Mental Health Matters Day at State Capitol»
Refugee and Immigrant Mental Health Round-Table»
Female Genital Cutting: A Conversation in San Diego»
Mental Health Resources
MIND ( Matters Involving Neuro-Disorders )»
MIND | Institute»
Resources for Victims of Crime»
NSDI Addresses Domestic Violence in the Community»
Downloadable Publications
Advancing Equity: Refugee and Ethnic Mental Health»
MIND | Institute Resources»
MIND Toolkit»
MIND | Institute Hosts Fourth Cohort for Behavioral Health Navigator Training
Slated to begin on May 14 and finish on June 11, 2019, a fourth cohort of Behavioral Health Navigators ( BHNs ) will train in MIND | Institute small-group lectures and discussions led by seasoned subject-matter experts on mental and behavioral health. To date, 31 BHNs, including individuals from refugee and immigrant backgrounds, have participated in the comprehensive training. Class sessions are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00–7:00pm. Candidates interested in participating in MIND | Institute training must submit application documents no later than 5:00pm, Friday, May 10.
MIND | Institute Application»
MIND Overview»
Previous Cohorts
First MIND | Institute Training Begins April 9»
Inaugural MIND | Institute Cohort Completes Training»
NSDI Addresses Domestic Violence in the Community
In collaboration with the San Diego County District Attorney» and Center for Community Solutions», MIND» (Matters Involving Neuro-Disorders), a program of Nile Sisters Development Initiative (NSDI), convened a Domestic Violence Workshop on Wednesday, March 27, 2019. The event raised awareness of domestic violence following the tragic death of a Somali resident» of the City Heights neighborhood of San Diego. During the informational workshop, presenters shared facts on domestic violence dynamics, statistics, overview of the criminal justice system, and resources» for crime victims, including the Victim Compensation Board». MIND staff provided language interpretation for speakers of French and Swahili with limited-English proficiency. Twenty-five individuals, including newly arrived refugees and former refugees, advocates, representatives from County of San Diego, and other local nonprofit organizations, participated in the event.
Additional Information
Outpatient Support for Victims of Crime»
NSDI Crime Victim Services»
Upcoming Events
The San Diego District Attorney’s Annual Citizens of Courage Awards Luncheon»
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Immigration Workshop for Refugees»
FULSToP Youth CAB Members in Their Own Words
In May 2018, FULSToP» ( Families Uniting Locally to Solve Tobacco Proliferation ) launched in San Diego and Orange counties. The program is a community-based initiative that aims to reduce tobacco-related health disparities among refugee, ethnic, and African-American / Black communities and to make gains toward health equity through collaborative, regional approaches directed toward policy change and community education.
Immigration Workshop for Refugees
NSDI ( Nile Sisters Development Initiative ), in collaboration with the Community Law Project», will host an immigration workshop on Wednesday, February 27, 2019. The free informational workshop will take place from 1:00 to 3:00 pm to provide an overview of refugee and asylum seekers, immigration statuses, and citizenship requirements. The intended audience for the workshop includes community leaders and advocates who assist individuals in need of immigration assistance. Participants will receive current information on immigration processes and resources for direct support and referrals.
This immigration workshop is part of a series of informational workshops for refugees and asylum seekers. Future workshop topics will include victims of crime, civil rights, and other legal topics.
St. Luke’s Adopts FULSToP Tobacco-Free Policy
FULSToP commends St. Luke’s Episcopal Church for adopting a congregational tobacco-free policy» in December 2018, making it the fifth faith-based entity to implement this policy in southern California. FULSToP organizational partners, Nile Sisters Development Initiative» and The G.R.E.E.N. Foundation», work closely with faith-based organizations in San Diego and Orange counties to promote healthy, tobacco-free lifestyles for congregations of diverse faiths. Adopting the FULSToP voluntary tobacco-free policy demonstrates a faith-based organization’s leadership and commitment to helping its congregants lead lives that encompass complete physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health and wellness.
Congregational Tobacco-Free Assistance: fulstop@nilesisters.org»
Tobacco-Free Congregations»
FULSToP Overview»
CalNEW Begins Outreach to School-Age Refugees
The CalNEW» (California Newcomer Education and Well-Being) project, unveiled in late 2018, is a school-based initiative supported by the San Diego Unified School District» and authorized by Assembly Bill 99. The project aims to enhance social and academic performance by providing additional services for refugees and other eligible school-age students.
Program Services
- Connecting students and families to culturally responsive resources including academic, behavioral, and social support
- Facilitating educator and parent meetings
- Conducting community outreach and engagement events
- Building cross-sector partnerships to provide comprehensive direct service to newcomers
Program Contact
To participate or refer a student or family to CalNEW, contact a community outreach specialist at Nile Sisters Development Initiative. Submit an email inquiry: info@nilesisters.org»
You Can Help
- Adopt a family
- Become a student or family advocate
- Donate new or gently used K–12 school supplies
- Donate new or gently used English reading books
- Volunteer to tutor» a variety of subjects
Candidates seeking to provide direct services to students and their families are subject to a comprehensive criminal, physical, and medical background check.
To learn more, contact rcunningham@nilesisters.org»
FULSToP Awarded Honor in 39th Annual MLK Jr. Day Parade
FULSToP youth CAB» (Community Advocacy Board) members participated in the 39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade» on Monday, January 21, 2019. The parade is one the largest celebrations in the United States to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. FULSToP CAB members were joined by Fuego Dance Crew» to share uplifting messages about living a healthy, tobacco-free lifestyle. The group earned second place in the parade Performance category. Parade organizers presented first-, second-, and third-place trophies to winners of Best Band, Drill Team, Educational Unit, Float, and Marching Group categories.
Invitation to World Bazaar
Saturday afternoon, February 9, 2019, Nile Sisters Development Initiative ( NSDI ) will host World Bazaar, an international-market fundraising event to support services provided to San Diego refugees. Event activities will include an ancient Ethiopian coffee ceremony in which guests will savor various strengths of exquisite fresh-brewed coffee, multicultural cuisine to satisfy curious taste buds, and art and jewelry gifts as diverse and unique as the constituents that NSDI serves.
Since 2001, Nile Sisters Development Initiative (NSDI) has supported refugees and immigrants in San Diego through essential services such as employment facilitation, family advocacy and education, and emergency relief. All proceeds will support Nile Sisters employment facilitation program that trains refugees and asylum seekers to become licensed certified nursing assistants.
2018 Great American Smokeout a Success
The first annual GASO» (Great American Smokeout), hosted by FULSToP» in partnership with the San Diego City College Associated Students Government and the Student Health Clinic, was a success. On November 15, more than 50 participated in the event to draw attention to tobacco-related chronic health conditions and to offer support to people who want to stop smoking and live healthier lives. Event highlights included a super-scale smoke-free poster personalized with comments by attendees, live music, and free quit-smoking kits.
