What is the Women United Difference?
Women United is a global, growing force of over 70,000 women dedicated to creating lasting change and lifting up communities. Embodying these principles, the Omaha Chapter was formed in 2008 and grounded in the belief that addressing the most critical local needs will advocate and inspire transformative change within our community. With gifts of $1,500 and above to United Way of the Midlands, Women United targets educational and volunteer opportunities that assist our members in gaining deeper, first-hand knowledge of the most crucial issues that face our community.
Our Goals
Women United members strengthen our community, advocate and inspire change, and enact a positive difference through their investment in the work of United Way of the Midlands.
Successful past initiatives include Train to Gain – Women United partnered with Collective Youth to provide high-quality, research-based training to school staff on tactics that help children be successful in the program and the classroom; Opportunity Youth – Women United completed a successful three-year campaign for Opportunity Youth Alliance to help connect young adults, ages 16-24, who are facing a variety of challenges with school and/or work; Shine Bright – Women United purchased and assembled boxes of hygiene items for Kindergarten, sixth-, and ninth-grade students to ensure each student had the tools they needed to feel good and succeed in the classroom. And their most recent initiative, Mental Health First Aid: United in Heart and Mind, will increase awareness and access to Mental Health First Aid training.
WOMEN UNITED STEERING COMMITTEE
Pam Beall-Hill
UWM Board Liaison
Council Bluffs Schools Foundation
Sue Seline
Chair of the Tocqueville Women’s Initiative Advisory Council
Ia Hagan
Baird Private Wealth Management
Mary Ann O’Brien
OBI Creative
Angela Rock
FNBO
Stephanie Tiritilli
Senior Market Sales
Leslie Volk
Security National Bank
Women United’s New Mental Health Initiative
Mental Health in Our Community
Research studies and strategic plans have identified mental health as a growing concern within our community. 1 in 3 people in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro experience symptoms of chronic depression. When it comes to mental health access, Nebraska ranks in the bottom half of all 50 states. On average, 130 people die by suicide every single day. Due to the stigma around asking for help, many people suffer silently without getting the help they need.
Women United’s Mental Health Initiative: United in Heart and Mind
Women United has prioritized mental health to address the increased demand for services and access challenges. Specifically, Women United is committed to raising awareness of and increasing access to Mental Health First Aid training, to ensure people throughout the community receive the right care at the right time.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
UWM has developed a partnership with Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare to expand MHFA training to improve our community’s understanding of mental health and reduce barriers to seeking help.
Similar to CPR training, MHFA is an internationally recognized, evidence-based training program that has certified more than two million Americans as Mental Health First Aiders. The MHFA Action plan equips individuals with the skills to:
- Understand the impacts of mental health challenges
- Notice the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses
- Develop an action plan to connect with an individual they may be concerned about, by using the following tools:
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm
- Listen nonjudgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage appropriate professional help
- Encourage self-help and other support strategies
Targeted audiences for this training include employers and business leaders, faith communities, school personnel and educators, and any of our friends and neighbors that want to better understand how to help someone struggling with mental health challenges.
Enhancing the capacity to provide MHFA training will significantly increase community awareness and education around mental illness, and empower community members to connect with individuals and increase support for those in need of mental health services.
Women United’s Impact
Women United’s support will fund an awareness campaign, and cover the costs of training to UWM’s 211 staff on MHFA referrals. Targeted awareness efforts and direct outreach will significantly increase the number of individuals in our community receiving MHFA training. In addition, Women United’s support will fund a MHFA Coordinator at Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare to increase the number of individuals in our community receiving MHFA training.
On Wednesday, October 12, 2022 members of Women United came together to learn more about the mental health initiative, United in Heart and Mind. During the event, several community experts shared their unique insights and perspectives on mental health.
How to Get Involved
Read our Newsletter!
Read the latest edition of Women United’s Community Compass Newsletter. This newsletter will be published twice a year to provide the opportunity to read all about the great work women united is doing, and share meaningful updates to celebrate your collective impact in the community!
Click HereJoin the Steering Committee
Led by passionate leaders across the metro, Women United celebrates the power of women to bring about positive change in our community through philanthropy and service. We invite you to consider joining the Steering Committee to help champion Women United’s philanthropic and engagement opportunities.
If you would like to learn more about Women United and the ways to get involved, please contact WomenUnited@uwmidlands.org