About Us

Formation of the Coalition

In 2011, a group of dedicated professionals along with CEOs and Executive Directors of Behavioral Health Clinics in the Latino community of Philadelphia, realized the bulk of their clients were facing similar obstacles in their roads towards recovery and well-being. It became clear that social-economic dynamics influenced greatly on the client’s clinical presentations, with ramifications in the whole community.

These organizations decided to come together to improve service delivery and address the challenges faced in serving clients, extending beyond behavioral health issues.

LBHC Mission Statement

The mission of the LBHC is to improve the mental health and well-being of Latinos based on culturally appropriate community based solutions.

Our constituents are our members and the clients served by our members and the greater society that benefit from the mental health services and well-being of Latinos.

The LBHC is committed to improve, advocate and prioritize mental health services in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.

We believe in:

Addressing behavioral health concerns across the spectrum of needs by engaging in culturally appropriate Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) relevant to the individuals and community. The LBHC aims to raise awareness on the cultural elements that define quality mental health services;
Improving the community’s understanding and education of mental-emotional health and opportunities by offering access to a network of programs and services in an environment that supports recovery and resilience. These formalize relationships among our members and networks strengthen continuity and coordination of care and increase community engagement;
Advocating diversity and cultural competence in our programs, communication, treatment, and relationships.

LBHC Vision Statement

The LBHC envisions a society that values and promotes mental health/wellness and is free from discrimination. We strive to provide a climate of emotional stability that would serve as a model for the rest of Latino Communities throughout the state and nation.

Along with economic opportunities, strengthening of schools and overall social empowerment, we envision behavioral health as an essential part of the individual and community well-being.

We understand that mental illness and substance abuse, like physical illness, are medically and psychologically treatable, are preventable, and there is hope for healing.

Statement of Purpose

Consistent with its mission, the Latino Behavioral Health Coalition’s purpose is to work for the individual member as well as community wellness, through emotional and behavioral health interventions, with the goal to improve and sustain mental health services for all by using the Latino experience and our expertise as a way to design an effective and efficient system for mental health and substance abuse prevention and care.

We strive to:

Develop a coordinated citizen and professional voluntary movement to advocate for the improved care and treatment of individuals with behavioral health conditions;

Advocate for improved methods and services in research, prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment within the Latino community;

Educate the public at large about causes and treatments, while promoting social justice, recovery and fighting the stigma and prejudice associated with the condition.