When it comes to mental health advocacy, there’s a need for tailored support to address the unique challenges faced by specific communities, including Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) youth. One organizational collaborative that is stepping up to this challenge is Team: Changing Minds.
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing helped form Team: Changing Minds in 2022, alongside Futures Without Violence, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and founding investor Harry’s to help activate trusted peers and adults in young people’s lives, especially BIPOC youth who identify as boys and young men, to help youth recognize the signs of mental health challenges and connect to support earlier in their lives — before challenges become crises. We call these trusted peers and adults our Team: Changing Minds Responders.
Through Team: Changing Minds, the National Council has awarded over 80 Youth MHFA Instructor scholarships to Responders who are passionate about the partnership’s mission and have begun hosting funded Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) trainings within their communities on the partnership’s behalf. One of those Responders is Dr. Julio E. Sabater.
Dr. Sabater, a seasoned clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience, is dedicated to Team: Changing Minds’ efforts to address the mental health needs of BIPOC communities. Leading his two organizations — the Sabater Laboratory for Psychological Innovations Inc. and the SabaterLAB Foundation — Dr. Sabater has seamlessly integrated his knowledge and expertise into the fabric of Team: Changing Minds.
Dr. Sabater became involved with Team: Changing Minds through a YMHFA Instructor scholarship to bring YMHFA into his community, aligning perfectly with his personal and professional values. Collaboration has been key to Dr. Sabater’s journey, particularly in his partnership with Khary Green, a fellow BIPOC cofacilitator. Dr. Sabater and Green are the only scholarship recipients in their state (Rhode Island and Massachusetts, respectively), and they are both BIPOC men who are professionals in the field of mental health. Together, they co-facilitated their first English-language YMHFA training for nine students of Dr. Sabater’s internship program. Subsequently, Dr. Sabater trained five more students of the program in Spanish.
Dr. Sabater now teaches YMHFA to community members to his staff at both of his organizations and all his youth mental health and office assistant training students at the SabaterLAB Clinical Training and Internship Program. Collaborating with Team: Changing Minds to offer Youth MHFA in English and Spanish, Dr. Sabater is making a real difference, impacting BIPOC communities in the state of Rhode Island. His ability to extend YMHFA training to Spanish-speaking interns further amplified his reach and influence, reinforcing his commitment to inclusivity.
Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Sabater emphasizes the transformative potential of programs like Team: Changing Minds, especially for historically marginalized communities. Due to their commitment to an equitable systemic approach, they use funding to eliminate barriers to YMHFA training for BIPOC providers, making YMHFA and essential support for BIPOC communities accessible. His involvement not only aligns with his long-term goals but also has fostered personal growth rooted in service, education and empowerment.
For those considering participation, Dr. Sabater’s message is clear: “I encourage everyone, including organizations, to take advantage of this fully funded training. Seize the opportunity for transformation and join the movement toward a more inclusive and aware community.”
Through our Team: Changing Minds partnership, the National Council is currently offering fully funded YMHFA trainings to community organizations that align with the Team: Changing Minds’ mission and interact with youth, especially BIPOC youth who identify as male. If your organization is interested in applying for these funded trainings, visit MHFA.org/TCM to learn more!
