By: Krystal Grimes, Chief Strategist/Founder - HEAL Alliance and AMMA Services
As a leader committed to advancing mental health in rural communities, I recently had the privilege of participating in the Global Leadership Exchange (GLE), a journey that took me to the heart of rural Netherlands, specifically the small community of Heerhugowaard. The theme of this year's gathering was "Leading Change: Flourishing Communities and Wellbeing for All." This experience, with support from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, provided me with the opportunity to connect with fellow leaders from around the world and explore innovative strategies to support the mental well-being of historically excluded communities. Led by our hosts and colleagues, Hazel Dalton (Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Australia) and Hanneke van der Veeken (Fit-academy/ArtFarm, Netherlands) and co-planned with other leaders advocating for mental health like Tammy Heinz (Hogg Foundation, U.S.). My trip, which culminated in a panel discussion in Utrecht attended by Queen Maxima herself, left me with invaluable insights that I believe are crucial for the future of rural mental health in places like Bastrop County, Texas, and beyond.
ArtFarm in Heerhugowaard: An Innovative Model for Cultural and Artistic Integration
My journey began at an old dairy farm in Heerhugowaard, now transformed into an art studio that serves as a beacon of cultural and artistic expression in rural Holland. The ArtFarm, as it is known, is more than just a creative space; it is a hub for the community, fostering connections through the shared language of art. During my two-day stay, I had the chance to collaborate with leaders from various countries who, like myself, are passionate about rural mental health and the power found in social capital. Our discussions centered on the challenges faced by historically excluded communities, including people of color and those living in isolated rural areas.
What struck me most about Heerhugowaard was the way art was seamlessly integrated into the organization’s identity. This integration not only provided a platform for cultural expression but also served as a therapeutic outlet, promoting mental well-being. The sense of community fostered through these artistic endeavors reminded me of the work we are doing through the HEAL Alliance, where we are striving to build safe spaces for cultural exchange and healing from historical trauma. The parallels between these two rural communities, separated by thousands of miles, are a testament to the universal power of art and the beauty of connection in promoting mental health.
The Power of Collaboration: Building Lasting Partnerships
One of the most rewarding aspects of my time in Heerhugowaard was the opportunity to build lasting professional relationships with leaders from around the world. These connections have already begun to bear fruit through the sharing of models and critical resources for rural communities. The collaboration extended beyond just sharing ideas; it also involved a deep exchange of knowledge that can be applied to support mental health in our respective regions.
The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health (under the direction of Executive Director Dr. Octavio Martinez), which funded my trip, has long been a champion of rural mental health initiatives. Their support has enabled leaders like myself to participate in global exchanges and bring back valuable insights to our communities in Texas. The foundation’s commitment to fostering collaboration among rural leaders is crucial in our fight to address the unique mental health challenges faced by these communities.
Utrecht: A Global Perspective on Youth Mental Health
My journey concluded in Utrecht at the Global Leadership Exchange conference. Here I was joined additional colleagues from the Central Texas area, including Bastrop County Cares as well as additional Hogg Foundation colleagues like Dr. Octavio Martinez and Rick Ybarra. Here in Utrecht I had the honor of leading a panel discussion titled: Youth Perspectives on Flourishing and Wellbeing. This panel, which included youth representatives from the Netherlands, New Zealand, Ireland, and Canada, highlighted the universal challenges faced by young people in rural communities. In the presence of Queen Maxima, we discussed the impact of isolation, lack of resources, and the stigma surrounding mental health in these regions. A follow-up from Queen Maxima's visit to Central Texas in connection with GLE and the Hogg Foundation.
What was particularly striking was the similarity in the mental health challenges faced by rural youth across different countries. Whether in Bastrop County, Texas, or the rural areas of Ireland and Scotland, young people are grappling with feelings of isolation and the pressures of living in tight-knit communities where mental health issues are often misunderstood or ignored. The discussions reinforced the need for global collaboration in addressing these challenges and developing strategies that can be adapted to the unique needs of rural youth.
Lessons Learned and the Path Forward
My experience in the Netherlands has left me with several key lessons that I believe are vital for advancing rural mental health:
1. Cultural Strategy as a Tool for Healing: The integration of culture, belonging, and creative expressions into community-oriented initiatives, as experienced in Heerhugowaard, is a powerful tool for promoting mental well-being and healing historical trauma. This approach can be adapted to rural communities in Texas.
2. The Importance of Collaboration: Building partnerships with leaders from around the world is essential in developing innovative strategies and resources for rural mental health. The Hogg Foundation’s support in fostering these connections is invaluable.
3. Learn From Our Young People: The challenges faced by rural youth are universal, and addressing them requires a global effort. By learning from the experiences of other countries and, in particular, young people, we can develop more effective strategies to support us all.
4. Moving Towards Policy Change: We do a disservice when our conversations remain at a strategic level. As we hear from community members and work alongside them to address historical trauma, we must move towards action, incorporating lessons learned and stories shared into the fabric of our work.
As I return to Bastrop, Texas, and continue my work with The HEAL Alliance and the Central Texas Health and Well-being Network, I am more committed than ever to advancing the discussion on rural mental health. The lessons learned from my time in the Netherlands will inform our efforts to create safe, vibrant global communities. Through continued collaboration, cultural integration, and a focus on the unique needs of rural populations, we can make significant strides in promoting mental well-being in rural areas, both at home and around the world. I'm excited to implement these new insights as well as nurturing the new relationships formed through this experience.
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