Project Implementation Coordinator
The Health District of Northern Larimer County
FOCUS
MJ (they, them, theirs) serves on the Community Impact Team for the Health District of Northern Larimer County in Fort Collins, Colo. MJ’s vision for the Culture of Health is that all people will have the right and equal access to quality mental health and substance use services, and that these services are centered around populations facing systemic oppression and discrimination. MJ’s past and current work has focused on using community collaboration and harm reduction strategies to improve mental health and substance use treatment access. MJ believes that until we center all of our programs around folx facing systemic oppression, we will perpetuate the inequity gap in all areas of health and well-being. MJ aims to reduce the crushing impacts of untreated mental health and substance use disorders on individuals and communities by creating equitable systems and services that encourage treatment and recovery-seeking behavior.
MORE ABOUT MJ
As a non-binary and trans public health professional, MJ is continuously looking to improve the health of marginalized communities. They found their original fire for health equity while working in HIV prevention, specifically in syringe access, LGBTQIA+ inclusion and sexual health programming. This work, in addition to experiences with mental health services, fuels their passion for changing systems to reduce harm and improve health outcomes for individuals and communities.