Bronx Mental Health Leaders
Diversifying Mental Health Professionals
The Bronx Mental Health Leaders, founded in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, is a student-run mental health pipeline program located within the South Bronx community. Currently, BxMHL has successfully completed its second cohort, providing its members with unique experiences and opportunity to grow as future advocates and leaders within mental health!
Our Mission
BxMHL's Mission is to diversify the mental health workforce by creating a peer support program that aids in the promotion, education, and empowerment of black, indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC). BxMHL aims to improve access to culturally competent mental health care in underserved communities as we strengthen outreach and engagement within the field. We look to de-stigmatize the barriers that are present within mental health throughout the Bronx and surrounding communities as we accommodate the next generation.
Recent Events
Meet The Founders
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Dr. Wendy J. Alfaro, PsyD
Co-Founder
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Dr. Pauline Levy, PsyD
Co-Founder
Bakary Sillah
Co-Founder
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Vanessa Laffa, LMSW
Co-Founder (In Active as of 2022)
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Tagreed Alabed
Co-Founder
Antonio Escobar
Co-Founder
Our Group
Currently, our target groups are Community College Students and Undergraduate students that attend a CUNY institution. It is required that all BxMHL members participate in the weekly Thursday meetings from 4 PM - 5:30 PM. For more questions about the program please email us at Bronxmhl@gmail.com
First BxMHL meeting.
Our Opportunities
Members will get to chance to volunteer at Montefiore and Albert Einstein College of Medicine as well as unique community efforts.
Members will be mentored by doctors, graduate students, and peers throughout their journey into graduate school.
Members will get research opportunities within Albert Einstein College of Medicine by working on IRB submissions, abstracts, and poster presentations.
Members will get shadowing opportunities in fields such as primary care, psycho-oncology, and psychology.
In collaboration with Bronx Community Health Network, members are certified in Mental Health First Aid Training.