What if recovery started with being seen, heard, and understood? For many individuals struggling with substance use and mental health challenges, that kind of care is rare. July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s about shining a light on the unique challenges faced by underrepresented communities. In minority communities especially, stigma, cultural misunderstandings, and deep-rooted mistrust in the healthcare system often make seeking help feel unsafe or inaccessible.
“Stigma prevents people from seeking help for many years,” says Dr. Irina Kogan, MD, Director of the Division of Addiction and Recovery Services at One Brooklyn Health. “Sometimes people spend their 20s and 30s self-medicating instead of seeking professional help.”
Without culturally responsive care, recovery efforts risk missing the mark. Treatment that fails to consider a person’s background, lived experience, and cultural values can leave individuals feeling misunderstood or worse, unheard. When care is delivered with intention, cultural awareness, and respect, it becomes a powerful tool for healing.
One Brooklyn Health offers a comprehensive continuum of rehabilitation services, including its Chemical Dependency Program, designed to support individuals on their path to recovery. This program exemplifies the organization’s commitment to culturally responsive care, recognizing that effective recovery begins with understanding each person’s identity, culture, lived experience tied with their medical history.
“Our approach is non-judgmental,” Dr. Kogan explains. “We evaluate each individual’s needs and motivation for recovery. If they feel supported and not judged, people feel more motivated.” She adds, “First, we need to understand who this person is, their environment, family, and support systems. That helps us decide the best treatment approach, considering cultural and social factors.”
The program supports individuals from all backgrounds and life situations.
Whether someone is worried about family, work, or school challenges related to substance use, the team is ready to listen and tailor treatment to fit each person’s unique needs. Every recovery journey is different, and the program’s personalized approach ensures that care is respectful, supportive, and effective.
The Chemical Dependency Program is a six-to-twelve-month outpatient treatment that integrates individual and group counseling, medication-assisted treatment, psychiatric care, health education, and creative art therapy. Patients also receive a light breakfast and lunch during their sessions. But what sets the program apart is its team-based, culturally responsive approach.
Counselors, social workers, and other support staff conduct thorough assessments that take into account each patient’s cultural identity, family dynamics, and environment. This foundation helps create treatment plans that truly resonate and are more likely to succeed.
In addition to therapy and medical care, patients receive comprehensive support that includes referrals for housing assistance, help with employment, and access to care for related medical conditions such as Hepatitis C and HIV. Many continue to stay connected to the program even after completing treatment, maintaining long-term relationships that reinforce stability and personal growth.
In communities where historical inequities and stigma exist, patient-centered care is critical. The Chemical Dependency Program works to create a safe, non-judgmental space where patients feel respected, supported, and empowered to pursue recovery.
The team also addresses social determinants of health, including challenges like housing instability and unemployment, which can hinder someone’s ability to stay in recovery. By providing both emotional and practical support, the program helps individuals rebuild their lives with stability and confidence.
Culturally responsive care communicates: You are seen. You are respected. Together, healing is possible. It reduces stigma, builds trust, and offers individuals, especially those in underserved communities, a meaningful opportunity for lasting recovery. Recovery is possible, and it starts here.
Whether individuals are seeking outpatient services, medication-assisted treatment, or long-term support, One Brooklyn Health’s dedicated team is here to help. Committed to healing with dignity, the program empowers every person to take the first step toward a healthier, substance-free future.
During Minority Mental Health Month, One Brooklyn Health honors the strength of its community and emphasizes that recovery does not begin with treatment alone; it begins with understanding. For support or to learn more, please contact the Chemical Dependency Program at Bishop Walker Family Care Center, part of the One Brooklyn Health Interfaith Campus, at 718-613-4450.
About One Brooklyn Health
One Brooklyn Health (OBH)—comprising Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, Interfaith Medical Center, and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center—is nationally recognized for high-quality care in heart failure, stroke, and diabetes, among other acute care.
The system includes 12 ambulatory care centers, two nursing homes, an assisted and independent living facility, a transitional housing program, an urgent care center, and a retail pharmacy.
OBH’s mission is to expand access to quality medical care for Brooklyn’s most vulnerable communities and beyond. For more information, please visit their website for more information, please visit their website at www.onebrooklynhealth.org.
Photo and text by Amanda Barrett of One Brooklyn Health